Catalog Archive
Auction 156, Lot 642

De Wit's Carte-a-Figures Map of Asia

"Asiae Nova Descriptio", Wit, Frederick de

Subject: Asia

Period: 1660 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
22.1 x 17.6 inches
56.1 x 44.7 cm
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This is a splendid example of one of the last Dutch carte-a-figures continental maps. The continent is shown with the northern and eastern coastline of mainland Asia on the Mercator-Hondius model. It incorporates the discoveries made by the 1643 De Vries expedition and the discoveries of Le Maire in New Guinea. The map is illustrated with flanking panels featuring costumed figures from China, Tartary, Arabia and the East Indies. The panels above show panoramas and plans of Ormus, Aden, Jerusalem, Damascus, Rhodes and Famagusta. The title cartouche is adorned by a female representation of the continent riding a camel.

References: Yeo #51.

Condition: A

A nice impression with attractive color, minor printer's ink residue, and professional repairs to a centerfold separation that enters less than 2" into map at bottom and an edge tear in the right blank margin that just enters the bottom figure.

Estimate: $3,000 - $3,750

Unsold

Closed on 2/17/2016

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