1720 Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Tabula Auct. F. de Wit.

By: Reiner & Joshua Ottens / Frederick De Wit Date: 1720 (circa) Amsterdam Dimensions: 42 x 48.5 inches (106.5 x 123 cm) This grand, six sheet map of the world exudes the splendor and style of of Dutch map making during the golden age of discovery and enlightenment. This is just the third known example of De Wit's wall map, first published in 1680. It is therefor incredibly rare and with the other two example housed in the British Library and the University Library of Amsterdam, the only known example available to the public. This example is identified as being published by the Ottens family, which we have concluded to most likely have been printed in 1720. What undoubtedly catches the eye first for most people is the lavish decorative borders that surround the double hemisphere map on all sides and fills every crevasse of what would otherwise be blank paper. The top portion of the map features a small celestial map, surrounded by cherubs and allegorical figures that appear to have