ZATTA, Antonio – Atlante Novissimo.

Venezia, 1775-1785. 4 volumes, folio (386 x 275 mm). Double-page engraved title, 4 engraved title-pages, 215 double-page engraved maps handcolored in outline. Contemporary vellum-backed marbled boards, spines with hand-lettering, edges sprinkled red. Bindings slightly rubbed, corners of the covers slightly bumped. All maps are in very good condition.

One of the most exquisite and comprehensive world atlases published in 18th century Italy. The number of maps varies from copy to copy, ranging between 215 and 218 maps.

Antonia Zatta (1757-1797) was a prolific 18th century Venetian printer and publisher, whose beautifully engraved works dealt with the newest discoveries of the time. His works are renowned for their great scientific and artistic quality.

The present atlas is indubitably Zatta’s most famous work. It was designed to accompany the „Nuova Geografia“, an Italian translation of A. F. Busching’s geographical treatise. It comprised the latest travel accounts, while also including first representations of the new islands explored by Captain Cook in an Italian atlas.

The maps include Mitchell’s map of America on 12 sheets („Le Colonie Unite dell‘ America Settentr.le du Nuova Projezione a Ss.ee. Li Signori Riformatori dello Studio di Padova“); other notable maps are: Mallorca, Corsica, Sardegna, Sicily, Mexico, North America, Canada, India, China, Japan, Philippines, New Zealand; two world maps, two star charts, maps of the South and North Poles; various maps of Africa, Asia, Australasia, and of the Ancient world; the maps of Australasia are represented according to Cook’s latest discoveries.

This is a very rare complete edition of Zatta’s atlas, containing 215 scientifically accurate and beautifully executed maps of numerous countries and territories around the world.

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