- 48
DE WIT, FREDERICK. [COMPOSITE ATLAS]. AMSTERDAM, [C.1680-1686]
Estimate
50,000 - 70,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- [Composite atlas]. [c.1680-1686]
Folio (546 x 347mm.), engraved allegorical title showing the globe surmounted by the figure of Atlas with printed index listing 150 subjects on verso, 153 double-page engraved maps and charts in contemporary hand colour, the 3 unlisted maps added to index in contemporary manuscript (see footnote), contemporary Dutch calf, blind panelled and arabesque on sides, maps 7 and 78 (Portugal and Crete) supplied from another copy (re-margined to size), map 26 (Languedoc) smaller in size (possibly inserted), title stained, some occasional light staining at upper margins, last 2 maps waterstained, a few small tears at fold, some occasional light staining, binding repaired by James Brockman
Provenance
Lord Wardington (1924-2005), bookplate at rear, sale in these rooms, 10 October 2006, lot 540, £44,000
Literature
cf. Shirley, British Library T.WIT-2a (later edition)
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
A FINE COPY FROM THE LIBRARY OF LORD WARDINGTON. In common with other relatively early de Wit atlases, this copy contains a corpus of maps formerly in the plate-stock of other Amsterdam map publishers such as Mercator, Hondius, Janssonius, Blaeu, and Visscher.
Many of the de Wit maps are early issues and the sea charts are in their first state and were published not later than 1680. Many bear small plate-numbers in the upper right-hand corner, some altered in ink. These engraved numbers slowly disappeared from the plates in later years. In this copy the two world maps are de Wit's state 2 (Shirley, Mapping of the World 451) and his maritime world map (Shirley 444).
"The de Wit composite or 'dual-purpose' atlas is an early example of an atlas planned at its outset to serve as a land and a sea atlas in one. Koeman lists these works according to the number of maps and by and large this progression gives a fair idea of their development and therefore dates, beginning in the early 1660s. But he acknowledges it is not accurate and often subject to revised opinion. The index is quite unlike any of those listed in Koeman" (Wardington Catalogue).
Many of the de Wit maps are early issues and the sea charts are in their first state and were published not later than 1680. Many bear small plate-numbers in the upper right-hand corner, some altered in ink. These engraved numbers slowly disappeared from the plates in later years. In this copy the two world maps are de Wit's state 2 (Shirley, Mapping of the World 451) and his maritime world map (Shirley 444).
"The de Wit composite or 'dual-purpose' atlas is an early example of an atlas planned at its outset to serve as a land and a sea atlas in one. Koeman lists these works according to the number of maps and by and large this progression gives a fair idea of their development and therefore dates, beginning in the early 1660s. But he acknowledges it is not accurate and often subject to revised opinion. The index is quite unlike any of those listed in Koeman" (Wardington Catalogue).