Catalog Archive
Auction 103, Lot 223

"A Chart of ye West-Indies or the Islands of America in the North Sea &c. Being ye Present Seat of War", Moll, Herman

Subject: Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean

Period: 1735 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
14 x 11.2 inches
35.6 x 28.4 cm
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Very uncommon map covering present-day southern U.S., Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. Inset of "La Vera Cruz". The map is filled with fascinating notations concerning the movements of Spain's wealthy galleons, such as "The Gallions & Flota usually joining at the Havana, ye whole Armada sails forth for Spain through this Gulf". This route took them into British waters off the coast of Carolina. Directions of trade winds, two compass roses, and rhumb lines make this a very attractive map.
This is the later edition that was issued to show the theater of war for the so-called War of Jenkins's Ear. Relations deteriorated between Spain and England over logging issues in Honduras and the perception by the English that the Spanish were restricting their access to the slave trade in the West Indies. This friction was aggravated by a continuing dispute over the border between Spanish Florida and Georgia. Prime Minister Walpole declared war on Spain in October, 1739. Read more about the war here.

References:

Condition: B

Nice impression on hand laid paper with large watermark. Short tear at binding side with small tape repair on verso with slight show-through. Some offsetting, else very good.

Estimate: $500 - $600

Sold for: $475

Closed on 6/11/2003

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