![DE WIT, Frederic (1610-1706). Atlas Maior. Amsterdam: [c.1705]](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/1998/CKS/1998_CKS_05953_0043_000(104438).jpg?w=1)
Details
DE WIT, Frederic (1610-1706). Atlas Maior. Amsterdam: [c.1705]
2° (530 x 338mm). Hand-coloured engraved title heightened in gold, 70 double-page hand-coloured engraved maps heightened in gold, numbered in a contemporary hand, 2 folding, 4 with a gazetteer and Index on the versos. (Some very light marginal soiling, and occasional dicolouration of size.) Original panelled vellum ruled and stamped in blind with central arabesque; spine lettered in a contemporary hand, 'Atlas Maior de Wit', (head and foot of spine and corners neatly restored), g.e.
A very tall and richly illuminated copy of de Wit's Atlas Maior. The frontispiece and maps are elegantly coloured in reds, yellow, green and blue and, exceptionally, there is a frequent use of gold in the armorial and figural elements, and to highlight towns, compass-roses and the measurement scales. This atlas appears to be a late issue of the Atlas Major, the maps dated 1659-1705; 23 of the maps are by De Wit, 22 by Nicolas Visscher (whose name appears on the gazetteer), the others by Jaillot, Mortier, Allard, van Loon and Jansson. In effect almost a composite, indeed Koenan III Wit 20;21 notes two atlases assembled by Christopher Browne in London after 1706, using de Wit titles and various Dutch maps. In the closing years of de Wit's life, this atlas may well be a similar Dutch composite, put together with Nicolas III Visscher's assistance.
2° (530 x 338mm). Hand-coloured engraved title heightened in gold, 70 double-page hand-coloured engraved maps heightened in gold, numbered in a contemporary hand, 2 folding, 4 with a gazetteer and Index on the versos. (Some very light marginal soiling, and occasional dicolouration of size.) Original panelled vellum ruled and stamped in blind with central arabesque; spine lettered in a contemporary hand, 'Atlas Maior de Wit', (head and foot of spine and corners neatly restored), g.e.
A very tall and richly illuminated copy of de Wit's Atlas Maior. The frontispiece and maps are elegantly coloured in reds, yellow, green and blue and, exceptionally, there is a frequent use of gold in the armorial and figural elements, and to highlight towns, compass-roses and the measurement scales. This atlas appears to be a late issue of the Atlas Major, the maps dated 1659-1705; 23 of the maps are by De Wit, 22 by Nicolas Visscher (whose name appears on the gazetteer), the others by Jaillot, Mortier, Allard, van Loon and Jansson. In effect almost a composite, indeed Koenan III Wit 20;21 notes two atlases assembled by Christopher Browne in London after 1706, using de Wit titles and various Dutch maps. In the closing years of de Wit's life, this atlas may well be a similar Dutch composite, put together with Nicolas III Visscher's assistance.