Title: Imperii Russici Sive Moscoviae, Status Generalis in ejus Regna, Ducatus, Provincias, Populos, Subjacentes Divisu, et ex Tabula Spectatmi. Domini N: Witsen . . .
Map Maker: Frederick De Wit / Christopher Browne
Place / Date: Amsterdam/London / 1680 ca
Description:
Striking old color example of Visscher's map of European Russia, with credit in the title to Nicolaes Witsen.
Witsen, the Mayor of Amsterdam, was an expert in shipbuilding and the Central regions of Russia. Among his more interesting accomplishments, Witsen forged a friendship with Czar Peter the Great during the Czar's visits to the shipyards of Amsterdam, helping him gain access to the Dutch East India Company's private facilities in Amsterdam and assisting the Czar in selecting Dutch Mariners for the Russian Imperial Navy.
The present example bears the name of Christopher Browne in London. Browne's name appears on several other Visscher maps and the two clearly collaborated during the later part of the 17th Century.