Details
PITT, Moses. The English Atlas. Oxford: for Moses Pitt, 1680-83.
4 volumes, 2° (570 x 370mm). Engraved architectural general title by J. van Munnikhuysen after L. Webbers, engraved frontispieces to volumes II and IV, 3 engraved portraits including Charles II and Queen Caroline, titles printed in red and black, 3pp. list of subscribers, 175 engraved maps of Northern Europe, most double-page, 4 folding, one double-page engraved view in volume I. (Some light spotting, margins slightly browned, a few corners torn or restored.) Modern morocco, preserving original calf covers (rubbed). Provenance: Trinity House (armorial bookplate).
Moses Pitt's ambitious project was to produce a 12-volume atlas in the Blaeu-Jansson tradition; however, after these first 4 volumes the project failed and Pitt was imprisoned in the Fleet for debt. The atlas comprises 2 fine world maps, a map of the North Pole, with the remaining sheets covering Northern and Eastern Europe, particularly Germany and the Low Countries, all based on Dutch mapping. The copy in the National Maritime Museum calls for 172 maps and a view, this copy has 2 additional maps in volume II and one in volume III. Wing P2306; NMM 410. (4)
4 volumes, 2° (570 x 370mm). Engraved architectural general title by J. van Munnikhuysen after L. Webbers, engraved frontispieces to volumes II and IV, 3 engraved portraits including Charles II and Queen Caroline, titles printed in red and black, 3pp. list of subscribers, 175 engraved maps of Northern Europe, most double-page, 4 folding, one double-page engraved view in volume I. (Some light spotting, margins slightly browned, a few corners torn or restored.) Modern morocco, preserving original calf covers (rubbed). Provenance: Trinity House (armorial bookplate).
Moses Pitt's ambitious project was to produce a 12-volume atlas in the Blaeu-Jansson tradition; however, after these first 4 volumes the project failed and Pitt was imprisoned in the Fleet for debt. The atlas comprises 2 fine world maps, a map of the North Pole, with the remaining sheets covering Northern and Eastern Europe, particularly Germany and the Low Countries, all based on Dutch mapping. The copy in the National Maritime Museum calls for 172 maps and a view, this copy has 2 additional maps in volume II and one in volume III. Wing P2306; NMM 410. (4)