This map of Saint Thomas in the present day Virgin Islands was engraved by Paul Kuffner (1713-86) about whom we know little. The map was engraved for C. G. A. Oldendorp’s “Geschichte der Mission der Evangelischen Bruder auf den Caralbishchen Insulem”, published in Germany in 1777 and are find in this work folded. This example shows no sign of ever having been folded has deckled edges and must have been sold separately.

Oldendorp’s work was the first published work on the history, natural resources and social conditions of the Virgin Islands. It relates the establishment of the Moravian missions in the islands, then part of the Danish West Indies. It is considered of great importance for its account of slave life and the Creole language. Oldendorp was a missionary who spent the years 1767-69 in the islands. The maps detail topographical features, quarters and plantations. Those with a sugar mill bear a special symbol. The maps are rare, especially offered for sale separately. Tooley Dictionary.