'TURCICUM IMPERIUM.'This handcoloured print shows the map of the Ottoman Empire on the eve of the Great Turkish War (1683-1699), which marked a turning point in the fortunes of the empire and that of Europe. It extends from Sardinia and Italy in the West to the Black & Caspian Seas in the North and the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea and Arabian peninsula in the South. The map is embellished with a decorative cartouche, featuring figures in elaborate Turkish costumes.Made by after an anonymous artist.Medium: Engraving / original hand colouring on handlaid (verge) paper.Sheet size: 64 x 53.3 cm (25.2 x 20.98 inch). Image size: 55.5 x 45.5 cm. (21.85 x 17.91 inch).MAP-OTTOMAN EMPIRE-TURKISH EMPIRE-TURKISH COSTUMES-MEDITERRANEAN-ARAB | RBOS-T33-LARGEBACKGROUND INFORMATIONThis attractive print was first published ca. 1682-86. Date of this map: ca. 1691-96.The dating of the maps is difficult. Around 1700, Frederick de Wit entered the market with a town atlas. He produced two volumes with a total of 260 plans and views. Most were printed from plates used for Janssonius and Blaeu town atlases.After he died in 1706, his widow continued the shop until 1709. The plates and stock of De Wit's atlas were sold to Covens & Mortier in 1710, who sold the atlas for an extended period.Biography engraver: Frederik De Wit (1630-1706) was engraver and map-seller, He was born in Gouda (Netherlands) in 1630 as a son of Hendrick Fredericksz de Wit. Through his marriage with Maria van der Waag of Amsterdam in 1661, he obtained citizenship of the city where he had been working since 1648 and where he became one of the most famous engravers of maps of the second half of the 17th century. Although De Wit was a Catholic, which meant that he was not favoured at the time by the city council, he was awarded the honour of being listed as one of the "excellent citizens" on the roll of the city council in the years 1694-1704. However, his name was not written in the Guild of St. Luke book before 1664. At that time, he lived on the Kalverstraat "in de Witte Pascaert", where he stayed until his death in 1706. His earliest dates on maps engraved are 1659 (Regni Daniae) and 1660 (World map). Condition: good, given age. Fold as published. Remains of tape glue in margin, also on reverse. Tear restored in lower margin. . General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.
