Catalog Archive
Auction 189, Lot 68

Attractive Map of the Americas with Land Bridge to Asia

"Recentissima Novi Orbis sive Americae Septentrionalis et Meridionalis Tabula", Ottens/De Wit

Subject: Western Hemisphere - America

Period: 1727 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
22.6 x 19.3 inches
57.4 x 49 cm
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This is the curious third state of this beautiful map of the Americas and an interesting version in this series of maps inspired by Nicolas Visscher in 1658. This map was first issued by Justus Danckerts circa 1696, but the plate was sold to Reiner and Josua Ottens by his family after Justus' death in 1701. The Ottens reissued the plate circa 1727 but oddly replaced Danckerts' name with that of Frederick de Wit while also adding their own imprint. The map follows Sanson's geography for the interior of North America with open-ended Great Lakes, the island of California, and the R. del Norte being a confusion between the Rio Grande (with Santa Fe located near its source) and the Colorado River (emptying into the Mer Rurbrum). Added above California is a huge Terra Esonis stretching nearly to Japan, a bit of which is visible near the upper left border. There are dozens of place names along this spurious coastline. The cartography of South America is based on De Wit's own work and depicts the northern region overly wide. Tribal vignettes fill the interior of Brazil and Parime Lac appears on the equator. One of the most interesting features of the map is the early appearance of Quiri Regio in the South Pacific, reflecting early Dutch exploration in the vicinity of Australia.

References: Burden #725; McLaughlin #178.

Condition: B+

A sharp impression with contemporary color in the map and later color in the cartouche. There is light toning along the centerfold, dampstains along the edges of the sheet, and a short centerfold separation in the top margin.

Estimate: $1,600 - $1,900

Sold for: $1,200

Closed on 9/14/2022

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