This magnificent sea chart of the western Atlantic Ocean presents the coastlines of North America from Cape Charles, Virginia to Newfoundland, and the West Indies to the northern coast of Brazil. The chart is based on that of Theunis Jacobsz, circa 1650, with few changes. Oriented by two compass roses with north to the left; the Azores and Cape Verde Islands are at the top of the map. It is richly decorated with two large cartouches with the title in Latin and Dutch. The central cartouche is surrounded by Mercury, a native riding an alligator, mermen, and sea monsters. The corner cartouche with Dutch title features figures of explorers, natives, and exotic animals, including an armadillo. In the sea are sailing ships, including a raging sea battle, rhumb lines, and two compass roses. This is the third state (Burden) with the addition of Mariland and Renard's imprint replacing that of de Wit.

First published circa 1675, de Wit's sea atlas, Orbis Maritimus ofte Zee Atlas, contained 27 charts from the North Pole to North and South America. The charts all appear to have been engraved by Romain de Hooghe and are splendid examples of Dutch marine works. The atlas was reprinted with amendments by Louis Renard in 1715, by Reinier and Josua Ottens in 1739 and 1745, and finally by the widow of van Keulen in 1802.

See also lot 750 for Philip Burden's The Mapping of North America - A List of Printed Maps 1511-1700 that describes this map.

References: Burden #467; Carhart #C30.5; McCorkle #675.9; Shirley (BL Atlases) M.REN-1a.

Condition: B

A crisp impression on a light toned sheet with the top corners (each approximately 2 x 3") professionally replaced in facsimile. There are a pair of wormtracks along the top border and several short repaired edge tears confined to the blank margins.