Scarce 17th century double-hemisphere world map from ‘The English Atlas’

Double-hemisphere world map decorated with allegorical figures of the Elements in the corners. Originally published in Amsterdam in 1666, this example comes from the uncommon English edition, re-engraved with a dedication to Charles II in the lower cusp. Jan Jansson à Waesberg, the original publisher, went into partnership with two English publishers, Pitt and Swart, to produce an twelve-volume 'English Atlas' to compete with Blaeu's. Between 1680 and 1683 four volumes of the atlas and the text for the fifth were printed in Oxford, but the mounting costs were too much. Production ceased, and for a time Pitt was locked up in the Fleet Prison for debt.