Fine original antique map of Sicily with a decorative title and scale cartouche, based on earlier maps by Sanson.
The island is divided into three provinces, with significant cartographic and geographic information included.
The title cartouche includes two sea gods holding the cartouche aloft, with a coat of arms and other allegorical figures riding atop the image.
This plate is from the newly engraved Dutch edition of the "Atlas Nouveau", published by Pieter Mortier in Amsterdam.
Alexis-Hubert Jaillot (1632-1712) was one of the most important French cartographers of the seventeenth century. Jaillot travelled to Paris with his brother, Simon, in 1657, hoping to take advantage of Louis XIV's call to the artists and scientists of France to settle and work in Paris.
Originally a sculptor, he married the daughter of Nicholas Berey, and went into partnership with Nicholas Sanson's sons.
Beginning in 1669, he re-engraved and often enlarged many of Sanson's maps, filling in the gap left by the destruction of the Blaeu's printing establishment in 1672.
Covens & Mortier was one of the largest and most successful publishing firms in Dutch history and continued in business for over a century.
