"Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Tabula", Wit, Frederick de

Stunning, large double hemisphere showing the island of California and partial shorelines of western Australia and New Zealand. An advanced depiction of the five Great Lakes includes Superior and Huron with open-ended western shores. The exquisite scenes surrounding the map are among the finest decorative motifs on early maps, rendered in lifelike detail. They were etched (rather than engraved) by the important Dutch artist Romeyn de Hooghe. These lively scenes represent the four elements. Fire is shown by war and destruction; air by the heavens; earth by harvesting and husbandry; and water by ships, a spouting whale and mermaids. There are groups of figures tucked between the hemispheres with polar projection maps above and below. First state with the signature of De Hooghe and date barely discernable in the lower left scene.

References: Shirley #444.

Condition: A

Superb original color with slight oxidation. Two minor cracks with old repairs are only visible when held to a strong light. Some damp stains in blank margins with professionally reinforced corners. Remnants of hinge tape on verso.