"Asiae Nova Descriptio", Wit, Frederick de

One of the last Dutch carte-à-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 who is riding a camel.

References: Yeo #51.

Condition: C

Original color, somewhat faded. Acid burned on verso and toned along centerfold. Paper still very sturdy.