Nicolaas Witsen (1641-1717) – Major and regent of Amsterdam
'L'Asie, distinguée en ses Principales Parties, sçavoir la Turquie en Asie, l'Arabie, la Perse, l'Inde, la Chine, la Tartarie, les Isles du Japon, des Philippines, des Molucques, de la Sonde, des Ceylan, et des Maldives.'
Draft by Nicolas Sanson, the Elder (1600-1667)
Published by Alexis Hubert Jaillot, Paris, 1696
Inscribed 'Dressé sur la Carte de Monsieur N(icolaas) Witsen… Presentée ... par ... Hubert Jaillot… Par le Sr. Sanson.'
Copper map entirely in contemporary coloring with figurative cartouche, odometer and compass rose
Dimensions of leaf: 95.5 x 63 cm; plate: 88.5 x 60 cm
Copy with wide margins, in good condition
Excellent original print of this extremely rare large map of Asia, with old coloring in fresh impression
Object is regular taxed. 19% VAT is added to the purchase price for deliveries within the EU.

Condition:

Clean and decorative copy with wide margins, entirely in contemporary coloring. Upper margin with restored and rebacked blemishes and defective spots. Formerly burst centerfold skilfully closed. Restored split in lower right area. Blemishes on both sides visible only against backlight. Map image clean and flawless.

Nicolaas Witsen (1641-1717)

The major and regent ofAmsterdam Nicolaas Witsen was active for the town as reeve ofAmstelveen and Nieuwer-Amstel. As diplomat, politician, collector, publicist and scientifically educated man, Witsen was mentor of tzar Peter I. He, in return, was taught byJohann Amos Comenius. He studied law at theLeiden University and earned a doctorate in 1664. As a member of the mission ofJacob Boreel he traveled to Russia in 1664/1665, where he gathered information that he published in the 'Kaart van Tartarije', the first map ofSiberia released in Western Europe.

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