"Africae Accurata Tabula", Meurs, Jacob van

This beautiful map of the African continent is filled with details typical of the late seventeenth century. The Nile appears according to the ancient pattern, arising from the two lakes of Zaire and Zafflan. The interior is decorated with elephants, ostriches, monkeys, lions and rhinoceros, and ten small ships sail in the sea. The title cartouche is flanked by natives and angels, and in the lower left is a blank dedication cartouche surrounded by Neptune and his entourage. This map is based on Nicolas Visscher's map of 1658. It was published in several versions of Olfert Dapper's important work on Africa.

References: Betz #108; Norwich #43.

Condition: B

A lovely impression. A tear around the cartouche in the upper right and some marginal weakness has been professionally repaired by the leaf-casting method. An attractive map that would frame well.