"Antverpia", Wit, Frederick de

A magnificent, double-sheet, bird’s-eye plan of Antwerp at the zenith of its prosperity as the major trading center of Flanders. The view offers a fascinating glimpse of 16th century fortification principles, showing the bastions, armaments, arsenal and citadel with incredible detail. Within impressive town walls the city is animated with populated streets, lush gardens, and bustling docks. The vast cathedral dominates the center of the city. This plan was drawn by native-son Georg Hoefnagel and first published in volume V of Braun and Hogenberg’s monumental Civitates Orbis Terrarum. Here re-issued with the imprint of Frederick de Wit. Due to its size, and subsequent folding into a folio volume this plan is rarely found in such good condition.

References: Goss (City) #3.

Condition: A

Slight toning at joint, else extremely fine with superb later color.