A fine large-scale sea chart of the southern tip of South America published in the ‘Orbis Maritimus ofte Zee Atlas’ by Frederick de Wit in 1675. It extends northwards to the 30th degree south including the ‘Rio de la Plata’. It covers much of present-day Argentina and Chile. The ‘Sybold’ islands are in fact Jason islands off the northwest coast of the Falklands. They record to visit by the Sebald de Weert (1567-1603) in 1600. The map is completed with an extensive network of rhumb lines, compass roses, a vignette of a naval battle, and a very attractive title cartouche in both Latin and Dutch. The beautifully engraved scene illustrates an encounter between Europeans and natives.

Frederick de Wit (1630 – 1706) was born in Gouda and was one of the most prominent and successful map engravers and publishers in Amsterdam in the period following the decline of the Blaeu and Jansson establishments. His work, notable for the beauty of the engraving and colouring, was very popular. In about 1675 de Wit published his sea atlas entitled Orbis Maritimus ofte Zee Atlas. The sea charts fall into a rich history of Dutch marine works. They all appear to have been engraved by the highly skilled Romein de Hooghe. The map is drawn from that of Pieter Goos issued in 1666 although here the south coast of Tierra del Fuego is complete. Provenance: Juan and Peggy Rada Collection. Carhart (2016); Koeman (1967-70) IV Wit 1 no. 27.