"Atlas", Wit, Frederick de

This fabulous title page features the mythical Atlas standing on the North Pole of the world and holding up the heavens with the sun and moon in the background. The globe features the Eastern Hemisphere, centered on the Indian Ocean, with an early depiction of Australia. In Greek mythology, Atlas was the primordial Titan who supported the heavens from the ranges now called the Atlas Mountains. He is one of the most recognized symbols in cartography, and in modern times is often shown supporting a terrestrial globe rather than a celestial one. With its lack of text and lower price, Frederick de Wit's folio Atlas was a departure from the costly and elaborate atlases of fellow Dutch mapmakers such as Blaeu and Visscher.

References: Rumsey #12220.

Condition: B+

Contemporary color with light soiling that is mostly confined to unengraved areas and remnants of hinge tape on verso.