- Title: Tabula Indiæ Orientalis
- Author: Frederick de Wit
- Date: 1680
- Medium: Hand-colored copperplate engraving
- Condition: Very Good Plus - light toning and foxing
- Inches: 23 x 18 1/2 [Image]
- Centimeters: 58.97 x 47.44 [Image]
- Product ID: 3893
The map encompasses southern Asia, stretching from southeastern Persia to northwestern Australia, but its primary emphasis is on India and Maritime Southeast Asia. In this region, European joint-stock companies—such as the English and Dutch East India Companies—were actively establishing trading posts, creating commercial hubs, and forging both trade relationships and political alliances as they competed for dominance in the lucrative spice and textile trades.
Frederik de Wit, born in Gouda in c.1630, was one of the most famous cartographers of the second half of the 17th century. De Wit's maps are known for their geographic accuracy, intricate detail, and elaborate cartouches.
After the decline of the Blaeu and Janssonius publishing houses, de Wit became one of the most prominent and successful map engravers and publishers in Amsterdam. He acquired many of their printing plates, which he used to produce his own maps and atlases.
De Wit was an innovator in the field of commercial cartography. He was the first to produce a concise reference atlas, which was a huge success. His cartographic production helped to bridge the gap between the early Netherlands period in cartography (circa 1550-1675) and the later years of Dutch commercial cartography, as well as European atlas production in the 18th century.