Asia: Amsterdam. Fredericum de Wit 1680?. Copper engraved map of Tartary by Fredeick de Wit from his " Atlas Maior". Original outline colour; verso blank. The map shows North Eastern Asia from the Caspian sea to the Pacific. In the South the area covering the modern countries of Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan across Northern India and Bangladesh to China, Taiwan and Japan; whilst to the North, parts of Russia, Kazakstan across to Mongolia and Manchuria. The Great wall of China is clearly shown. Korea is cartographically correct as a peninsular but Sakhalin Island is missing or is included in the sketchy outlines of Yedso shown according to the voyages of De Vries. [Ezo, Yezo or Yeso is a Japanese name which historically referred to the lands to the north of Japan. It was used in various senses, sometimes meaning the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, and sometimes meaning lands and waters further north in the Sea of Okhotsk, like Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands.] Good impression; light toning to extreme edges; tiny hole to centre of centrefold; old strengthening to verso of centrefold and old ink numbers. Frederick de Wit [1630-1706] De Wit was one of the most prominent and successful map engravers and publishers in Amsterdam in the period following the decline of the Blaeu and Jansson establishments, from which he acquired many copper plates when they were dispersed at auction. His output covered most aspects of map making: sea charts, world atlases, an atlas of the Netherlands, 'town books' covering plans of towns and cities in the Netherlands and Europe, and wall maps. His work, notable for the beauty of the engraving and colouring, was very popular and editions were issued many years after his death by Pieter Mortier and Covens and Mortier. Frederick de Wit was born Frederick Hendricksz or Frederick son of Hendrick.he moved from his home town of Gouda to Amsterdam in 1648 and by 1654 he had opened a printing office and shop under the name "De Drie Crabben" (the Three Crabs) which was also the name of his house on the Kalverstraat. In 1655, De Wit changed the name of his shop to the "Witte Pascaert" (the White Chart). Under this name De Wit and his firm became internationally known. Dating De Wit's atlases and maps is considered difficult because usually no dates were recorded on the maps and their dates of publication extended over many years Koeman III: Wit 8 /72 Asia North East Asia Tartary China Yedso
