1680 De Wit Map of Malta and Gozo

MaltaGoza-dewit-1680
$1,575.00
Insula Malta accuratissime Delineata, Urbibus, et Fortalitiis. - Main View
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1680 De Wit Map of Malta and Gozo

MaltaGoza-dewit-1680

One of the most desirable and attractive 17th century maps of Malta.
$1,575.00

Title


Insula Malta accuratissime Delineata, Urbibus, et Fortalitiis.
  1680 (undated)     17.5 x 21.5 in (44.45 x 54.61 cm)     1 : 190000

Description


A fine c. 1680 map of Malta and Gozo by the Dutch Golden Age cartography Frederick De Wit. This is one of the most decorative maps of Malta to appear in the 18th century. Centered on Malta and Gozo, it covers the surrounding seas as far north as Sicily and Sardinia, and south to cover the north Africa coast as far as Tunis and Tripoli. An inset of Valetta, showing the elaborate fortifications constructed by the crusading order of the Knights of Malta, appears in the lower right quadrant. Numerous sailing vessels ply the seas, most of which seem to be engaged in battles - evidence of the turbulent and contested nature of this part of the Mediterranean. The whole is finely engraved, as is typical of De Wit's work, and is surrounded by an elaborate decorative border.

Cartographer


Frederik de Wit (1629 - 1706) was a Dutch Golden Age cartographer active in the second half of the 17th and the early 18th centuries. De Wit was born of middle class Protestant stock in the western Netherlandish town of Gouda. He relocated to Amsterdam sometime before 1648, where he worked under Willem Blaeu. His first attributed engraved map, a plan of Haarlem for Antonius Sanderus' Flandria Illustrata, was issued around this time. He struck out on his own in 1654. The first chart that De Wit personally both drew and engraved was most likely his 1659 map of Denmark, REGNI DANIÆ Accuratissima delineatio Perfeckte Kaerte van ‘t CONJNCKRYCK DENEMARCKEN. His great wall map of the world and most famous work, Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Tabula appeared one year later. Following the publication of his wall map De Wit quickly rose in prominence as a both cartographer and engraver. He married Maria van der Way in 1661 and through her became a citizen of Amsterdam in 1662. Around this time he also published his first major atlas, a composite production ranging in size from 17 to over 150 maps and charts. Other atlases and individual maps followed. In 1689 De Wit was granted a 15 year Privilege by the Dutch States General. (An early copyright that protected the recipient's rights to print and publish.) He was recognized with the honorific 'Good Citizen' in 1694. De Wit died in 1706 after which his wife Maria continued publishing his maps until about 1710. De Wit's son, Franciscus, had no interest in the map trade, instead choosing to prosper as a stockfish merchant. On her own retirement, Maria sold most De Wit maps and plates at a public auction. Most were acquired by Pieter Mortier and laid the groundwork for the 1721 rise of Covens and Mortier, the largest Dutch cartographic publishing house of the 18th century. More by this mapmaker...

Condition


Good. A couple of minor verso repairs on centerfold and upper left corner. Some transference. Original old color.

References


Mason, R., and Willis, P., Maps Of Malta In The Museum And Library Of The Order Of St John: A Short Catalogue, 50. OCLC: 159850671.