DE WIT, Frederick.
Tabula Indiæ Orientalis Emendata a F. de Wit.
Amsterdam, c. 1680.
Engraved map, 460 x 560 mm., in superb handcolouring; in fine condition.
This fine map of the East Indies was published by Frederick de Wit, at a time when he was one of the foremost map-makers in Holland. His firm's "maps were distinguished by their excellent craftsmanship, exactness and beauty…" (Schilder).
This map stretches from Persia in the west to China and Taiwan in the east, and shows northern Australia in the south. The north coast of Australia - Hollandia Nova - bears only three place names: "Van Diemens Landt"; "Baya van Diemen" and "Vuyle hoeck". These were all discovered during Abel Tasman's second voyage of 1644.
The map is handcoloured in outline and decorated by a beautiful cartouche showing four dramatically-posed costumed figures of the East.
Not in Tooley.
