A 17th century Dutch World map with superb decorative borders

DE WIT, Frederick.

Nova Orbis Tabula in Lucem Edita.
Amsterdam, 1670. Fine original colour. 465 x 540mm.

A few small repairs.

A superbly engraved double-hemisphere world map, with two further spheres showing the northern and southern hemispheres and cherubs in the cusps. The four corners are taken up with vignettes of the Four Seasons, each with references to the Four Elements and the Zodiac.

This is an example of the first state, with blank cusps and no engraved border: in 1675 the cusps were filled with cherubs and a border added and circa 1680 the plate was replaced by one with New Guinea added in the Western Hemisphere. A collectors item

SHIRLEY: World 451 - ''one of the most attractive of its time... one of the finest that is relatively easily obtainable by the map collector'.
Stock ID : 23590