An extremely decorative map of the British Isles by Frederick de Wit (1630-1706) in its FIRST STATE. He was one of the most successful Dutch engravers and map publishers of the second half of the seventeenth century. His first two maps of the British Isles were sea charts. A landscape format map was published circa 1675. Here an improved, more ornate portrait format map is issued. This is seen most particularly in the delineation of Ireland which his improved following the survey work of William Petty. It can be dated to c.1690 by the presence of the Royal Arms of William and Mary (1689-1694). Upper right is an inset of the Faroes, Orkneys and Shetlands. Upper left is an ornate cartouche with cherubs holding aloft the arms of the nations. Shirley describes 3 states although the existence of 5 are now known. For the second state four compass roses were added along with some additional placenames.

De Wit was one of the most prominent publishers in Amsterdam in the period following the decline of the Blaeu and Jansson establishments. His output covered most aspects of cartography including 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. He continued in business it seems until his death in 1706 at the age of seventy-six. Provenance: Haas 2006. Koeman (1967-1970) III pp. 193-204; Shirley (1988) De Wit 6.1; Tooley’s Dictionary (1999-2004).