Spectacular title page
Title page of Frederick de Wit's Atlas Maior, published by Christophorum Browne. 1706
Frederick de Wit (1630-1706)
The engraver and map-seller, Frederick de Wit, was born in Gouda (Netherlands) in 1630 as a son of Hendrick Fredericksz de Wit. Through his marriage with Maria van der Waag of Amsterdam in 1661, he obtained citizenship of the city where he had been working since 1648 and where he became one of the most famous engravers of maps of the second half of the 17th century. Although De Wit was a Catholic, which meant that he was not favoured at the time by the city council, he was awarded the honour of being listed as one of the "excellent citizens" on the roll of the city council in the years 1694-1704. However, his name was not written in the Guild of St. Luke book before 1664. At that time, he lived on the Kalverstraat "in de Witte Pascaert", where he stayed until his death in 1706. His earliest dates on maps engraved are 1659 (Regni Daniae) and 1660 (World map).
Frederick de Wit published several world atlases, a sea atlas, and an atlas of the Netherlands.
The dating of the maps is difficult. However, as a privilege was granted in 1689, the annotation 'cum privilegio' marks an edition after 1688.
Around 1700, Frederick de Wit entered the market with a town atlas. He produced two volumes with a total of 260 plans and views. Most were printed from plates used for Janssonius and Blaeu town atlases.
After he died in 1706, his widow continued the shop until 1709. The plates and stock of De Wit's atlas were sold to Covens & Mortier in 1710, who sold the atlas for an extended period.
Christopher Browne (flourished 1684-1712)
English cartographer, globe maker, printer and publisher in London.
Atlas Maior.
Item Number: 32532 new Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > Title Pages
Title Page of Frederick de Wit's Atlas Maior, published by Christophorum Browne.
Title: Atlas Maior.
Londini apud Christophorum Browne.
Atlas Maior F.ct De Wit.
Ex Officina Frederici de Wit.
Amstelodami cum Privilegio Potentissimor D.D. Ordinum Hollandiae et West-frisiae.
tot Amsterdam by Frederick de Wit.
met Privilegie van de Grootmogende Heeren Staten van Hollant en West-vrieslant.
Sold by Christopher Brown at ye Globe at the west end of Sain Paulls' Church.
Lauwerens: Scherm: delin: & Sculp:
Designer: Lorenz Scherm.
Engraver: Lorenz Scherm.
Date of the first edition: 1570.
Date of this map: 1706.
Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Image size: 365 x 230mm (14¼ x 9 inches).
Sheet size: 455 x 295mm (18 x 11½ inches).
Verso: Blank.
Condition: Original coloured, excellent.
Condition Rating: A+.
From: Atlas Major. London, Chr. Browne, 1706.
Frederick de Wit (1630-1706)
The engraver and map-seller, Frederick de Wit, was born in Gouda (Netherlands) in 1630 as a son of Hendrick Fredericksz de Wit. Through his marriage with Maria van der Waag of Amsterdam in 1661, he obtained citizenship of the city where he had been working since 1648 and where he became one of the most famous engravers of maps of the second half of the 17th century. Although De Wit was a Catholic, which meant that he was not favoured at the time by the city council, he was awarded the honour of being listed as one of the "excellent citizens" on the roll of the city council in the years 1694-1704. However, his name was not written in the Guild of St. Luke book before 1664. At that time, he lived on the Kalverstraat "in de Witte Pascaert", where he stayed until his death in 1706. His earliest dates on maps engraved are 1659 (Regni Daniae) and 1660 (World map).
Frederick de Wit published several world atlases, a sea atlas, and an atlas of the Netherlands.
The dating of the maps is difficult. However, as a privilege was granted in 1689, the annotation 'cum privilegio' marks an edition after 1688.
Around 1700, Frederick de Wit entered the market with a town atlas. He produced two volumes with a total of 260 plans and views. Most were printed from plates used for Janssonius and Blaeu town atlases.
After he died in 1706, his widow continued the shop until 1709. The plates and stock of De Wit's atlas were sold to Covens & Mortier in 1710, who sold the atlas for an extended period.
Christopher Browne (flourished 1684-1712)
English cartographer, globe maker, printer and publisher in London.