Plaatsnamenregister van de Zeventien Provinciën 1666 - 1710

This is Frederik de Wit's "Plaatsnamenregister van de Zeventien Provinciën", a printed register of place names. Produced in the Netherlands, probably around the late 17th century, it speaks to the rise of cartography and the importance of place in establishing identity and trade networks during the Dutch Golden Age. De Wit's register, beyond its practical function, embodies a sense of order and control over territory, reflecting the mercantile ambitions of the Dutch Republic. The meticulous alphabetical arrangement is more than just a finding aid; it represents an attempt to categorize and manage the known world. To truly understand this piece, one must delve into the archives of the period, exploring not just maps and geographical surveys but also the economic and political documents that shaped Dutch colonial expansion. This register is not merely a list of places; it is a window into the ambitions and structures of a society on the rise.