Allard's Map of New England and New York with the Restitutio view of Manhattan

In 1664, the English successfully captured New Amsterdam and renamed it New York. The Dutch were entirely unable to rival the English, but for one brief episode in 1673-4 when, shockingly but briefly, they recaptured the city and renamed it New Amsterdam. It was then that this updated version of Visscher's map was first engraved. The geographical information is largely the same, but the view is significantly altered. Dubbed the "Restitutio" view, it celebrated the 'restoration' of New Amsterdam to Holland, in August 1673, by the fleet under the command of Cornelius Evertsen. The figure on the pedestal is holding a laurel of victory, while the updated glimpse at the southern tip of Manhattan shows a city that has grown significantly, and is a triumphant indication of Dutch pride in its recapture. Unlike the Visscher view, here the town is depicted from the east. On the right-hand side of the view is part of the wall that became Wall Street with its guardhouse and gate. To its right are new settlements that were just beginning to crop up north of the wall. This view actually shows the Dutch capture of the town in progress, with soldiers marching along the quay and a cannon firing from the fort. Despite the fact that the city was returned to the British under the Treaty of Breda the following year, this map with this precise "Restitutio" view continued to be republished for almost a century by Dutch mapmakers, perhaps for reasons of nostalgic national pride. By this time, Dutch overseas power was waning, particularly in America. This view, with its grandiose presentation of momentary triumph, played to the need for some affirmation of Dutch power even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Engraving with original hand color Amsterdam, 1673. Totius Neobelgii Nova et Accuratissima Tabula 1673 Size: Unframed: 20 x 24".…