Catalog Archive
Auction 105, Lot 73

"America noviter delineata", Merian, Matthaus

Subject: Western Hemisphere

Period: 1638 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
14 x 10.8 inches
35.6 x 27.4 cm
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Merian prepared this reduced version of his 1631 map for the German translation of Pierre d'Avity's Les Empires du Monde and it accompanied other works of the period including Theatrum Europaeum. It is one of the many derivatives of Jodocus Hondius' map of 1618. North America is depicted with a prominent Virginia and an odd New England coastline. The western coastline above California makes the continent entirely too wide and there is only a hint of the Great Lakes. There is a large inland lake in equatorial South America. Small inset of Greenland. Strapwork title cartouche with a sea monster and Spanish galleons decorate the map. Merian's signature lower right.

References: Burden #251.

Condition: A

Crisp impression with a couple of small printer's creases and insignificant tiny spots.

Estimate: $1,100 - $1,300

Sold for: $1,200

Closed on 12/3/2003

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