"Novissima et Accuratissima Septentrionalis ac Meridionalis Americae Descriptio, Multis Locis Recentibus Aucta et Correcte Divisa in Omnes Partes Hodiernas", Wit, Frederick de

This is the eighth state of this great map of the Americas, originally engraved circa 1675, and updated with the addition of New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Quiri Regio, Fretum Aniani and Terra Esonis. While the decorative features follow Visscher, the cartography is largely based on Sanson. California is an Island, the Great Lakes are open-ended in the west, and the R. del Norte flows from a large western lake and empties into the sea between the mainland and California, labeled Mare Vermio. In South America, the mythical lakes of Parime Lacus and Xarayes are shown, along with vignettes of a battle scene and a village in the Brazilian interior. The pictorial title cartouche contains scenes of gold panning, hunting and a native chief standing beneath an umbrella. The only change De Wit made was that the chief is standing on the left rather than on the right as in Visscher's composition. The top cartouche depicts angels struggling with a devil for the soul of a Native American.

References: Burden #465; Carhart #6.8; McLaughlin #49, Tooley (America) p.120 #33.

Condition: B+

Full contemporary color on watermarked paper with minor soiling and a 2.5" edge tear at bottom that has been closed on verso with old paper. Short centerfold separations along the upper centerfold and at bottom have also been archivally repaired.