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Pictorial relief.

Includes following dedication in a decorative cartouche: To the Right Reverend Father in God, John by divine permission Ld. Bishop of Oxon. this mapp is humbly dedicated Johannes Jansonius à waesberge and sons, Moses Pitt, and Steven Swart.

Includes ill. and 2 insets (North Pole area - South Pole area ) located in the lower left and right corner.

From Moses Pitt: English Atlas, (Oxford, 1680), v. 1, map no.2.

Includes a decorative border. Along the top are allegorical representations of the sun and moon and the five known planets: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. On the left side are four panels illustrating the elements; Fire, Air, Water and Earth. On the right side the four seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Fall). Along the bottom are seven vignettes showing the seven wonders of the world: the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Colossus over the harbour at Rhodes, the Pyramids, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus at Cario, the temple of Diana at Ephesus, the Statue of Jupiter, and the great Pharos or lighthouse of Alexandria.

This beautiful map is one of the most intriguing examples of the internal workings of the map publishing business in the seventeenth century. The copperplate from which the map was printed was originally engraved by Pieter van den Keere (Petrus Kaerius) in 1608. It then passed into the hands of Jan Jansson in 1620, and finally to Jansson's heirs who formed a partnership with the Englishman, Moses Pitt. The plate was reworked several times and a comparison of the various states provide a compelling view of the changing image of the world during the 17th century. In this final state, the classic carte-a-figures borders remain unchanged, while the map itself was updated with actual discoveries such as Australia, Tierra del Fuego and the straits of Magellan and Le Maire. Other changes reflect prevailing, but erroneous, theories such as an insular California, a peculiar isthmus linking Nova Zembla to northern Asia, and a revived huge Antarctic landmass. The map is very scarce because Pitt's ambitious atlas project was a commercial failure; resulting in his confinement in debtor's prison.

Physical condition note

Torn along center fold line. Scotch tape applied on verso.

Custodial history

Part of the Alexander E. MacDonald Canadiana Collection purchased by the Public Archives of Canada in 1981.

Related materials

For other copies and or editions see: G1950 .P57 1680 .H3 1943 - fol. (AMICUS No. 17076317)

Citation / reference note

Shirley, Entry 504
Shirley, Entry 264
Wagner, v. 2, p. 317, Entry 415
Phillips, Entry 2831, v. 1, map no 2

Availability of other formats note

The microfiche version is NMC8234

Exhibitions note

This map was part of an exhibition held at The Royal Ontario Museum, March 1954 entitled "The Discovery & Mapping of the Great Lakes 'Sweet Water' 1522-1703 showcasing MacDonald's Collection.