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

"Asiae Nova Descriptio", Wit, Frederick de

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. This is the fourth state, with the number 5 in the border at top right, published 1670-71.

References: Carhart #9.4; Yeo #51.

Condition: A

A dark impression on a bright sheet with a hint of offsetting, a few minor spots, and an archivally repaired centerfold separation that enters 1" into image at bottom. There are small dampstains along the sides of the sheet and marginal soiling.