Rare Map of New England with Famous "Restitutio" View of New York City

"Totius Neobelgii Nova et Accuratissima Tabula", Allard, Carel

This scarce map commemorates the Dutch re-capture of New Amsterdam in August 1673, which is illustrated in the large inset. This inset, known as the Restitutio View, replaced the original view (based on Visscher) in the second state of Allard's map. It depicts the town as seen directly from the east. On the right is a wall that eventually became Wall Street with its guardhouse and gate. Adjacent to the wall are new settlements and the Collect Pond. Along the quay are three roundouts fortified with canons and at center is a canal that is shown here for the first time. The Dutch army is depicted marching along the quay, a canon is firing from the fort, and the allegorical figure above holds a laurel wreath signifying victory.

The map itself is from the influential Jansson-Visscher series, which formed the basis for the mapping of the Atlantic seaboard and New England for nearly one hundred years. The cartography follows Visscher's modifications and includes much new information that reflects the Anglicization that had occurred during the period of English rule (1664-1673). Lacus Irocoisiensis (Lake Champlain) remains radically misplaced to the east of the Connecticut River, the St. Lawrence River and Ottawa River are intertwined, and the coast of New England is still imperfectly mapped. Several of the new English place names appear, including Nieu Jarsey, Gamoenipa (Communipaw), Bergen, Nova Albania (Albany), Milfort, and Iamaica and Iorck-shire (Yorkshire) on Long Island. The Dutch fleet, commanded by Cornelius Evertsen, is shown off Long Island. This is the fourth state, with the imprint of Carolus Allardt replacing that of his father. All states are very scarce.

References: Burden #373, state 4; Tooley (Amer) #17, pp. 287-89; Augustyn & Cohen pp. 46-47.

Condition: A

Excellent impression and color with wide margins. There are minute worm holes only visible when held to light, and expert repairs to several short centerfold separations and a couple of tiny tears perpendicular to the centerfold. The very edges of the sheet are toned.