A superb decorative map of the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea. It was published by Jean Covens (1697-1774) and Corneille Mortier (1699-1783) whose partnership was founded in 1721. They were brothers-in-law. It was built on the business of Corneille’s father Pierre Mortier (1661-1711) who began in 1685. The firm through their descendants would survive until 1866. The map highlights the recent Corsican Revolution led by Theodore von Neuhoff (1694-1756). Born in Cologne but educated in France, he served in the French and Swedish armies. A wonderer who enjoyed intrigue he ended up in Genoa and met some Corsican rebels. Persuaded that the island deserved independence from Genoa and that he could be made king he landed there in March 1736.

Declaring himself King Theodore I, his ‘reign’ only lasted a few months. Infighting and poor organisation led to him fleeing the island in November of the same year. Again, he wondered western Europe seeking assistance, running up debts, and eventually landing in debtors’ prison in London until 1755 and died the following year. He became a friend to Horace Walpole who following wrote his epitaph on his gravestone in Soho, London.

The title refers to the brief period of a Republic and its ultimate possession by Genoa: ‘formerly distinguished by the title of a Kingdom, now subject to the authority of the Republic of Genoa’. The island is shown in detail, and upper right a cartouche provides a detailed description of it and its produce. Lower left are the coat or arms of King Theodore I, sympathies no doubt arising from his residence in Holland for some time. The whole is completed by a very ornate title cartouche upper left. Cervoni (1989) no. 60; not in Koeman (1967-70); Tooley’s Dictionary (1999-2004).