DE WIT, Frederick (1630-1706). "Carta nova accurata del passagio et strada dalli Paesi Bassi per via de Allemagna per Italia et per via di paesi Suizeri à Geneua ; Lione et Roma; .." Amsterdam: 1671.

DE WIT, Frederick (1630-1706). "Carta nova accurata del passagio et strada dalli Paesi Bassi per via de Allemagna per Italia et per via di paesi Suizeri à Geneua ; Lione et Roma; .." Amsterdam: 1671.

Single sheet (22 ¼ x 19 ½) Full margins showing the plate mark. (light foxing & browning along margin, light offsetting).

A rare road map showing the routes for travelers and merchants from the north of Italy to Bohemia, the Netherlands, and east France, across Germany and Switzerland. The map further embraces the area of the Alps, north Italy, Tyrol, Bavaria and south Germany, and parts of Slovenia and Istria. The title cartouche features two peasants, one standing on solid ground, the other atop two parcels. This map is taken from Vissher's compiled Atlas Minor siue Geographia Compendiosa, Qua Orbis Terrarum, per paucas attamen novissimas tabulas ostenditu.
This map is in excellent condition. It features full margins, original hand coloring, light browning of the edges, and slight foxing. Verso exhibits some oxidation of the ink.
The route depicted here is one of the main routes used for trade in the 17th century. This Atlas acted as a guide for those involved in the various guilds, between wool, paper, ink, silver, etc. Each of the routes here held a different significance for every merchant reading the map. The key in the upper margin lists the distances.

The map was published by a Dutch cartographer Frederick de Wit (1629/1630 - 1706), however it was made on commission by merchants of Bregenz, Austria. This city, known as a major trading center since the times of antiquity, is shown here in the center of the map. The unusual orientation of the map is intentional in order to fit in all the routes between the north of Italy and the Netherlands.

This map is a very rare find in the market. It was frequently published individually and sometimes included in composite atlases. Such was the case with this map. It was a part of composite Visscher atlas. The Atlas Minor is a fine and comprehensive composite atlas, and one of a series of large atlases compiled and sold by the Visscher family of art dealers and cartographers in the 17th century. Founded by Nicholas Visscher, this work is known for the high quality of engraving, exceptionally fine ornament, and accurate geographical information. No two of the Visscher atlases seem to have been identical in content, and most contain, like this one, a selection of maps by the Visschers themselves as well as other cartographers. In this case the majority of the maps are published by Visscher. In addition to the striking world map by Allard with its black background and numerous projections, and found in the "Atlas Major" from about 1705, there are maps of the continents, regional maps of Europe, ten maps of Asia, and seven maps related to America.
For more information on this map, or a warm welcome to see other maps and books of our collection at 72nd Street NYC, please contact Natalie Zadrozna.