Catalog Archive
Auction 107, Lot 16

"Carte Generale du Monde, ou Description du Monde Terrestre & Aquatique", Mortier, Pierre

Subject: World

Period: 1700 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
19 x 16 inches
48.3 x 40.6 cm
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Pierre Mortier's unique world map drawn on Mercator's projection with California as an Island and the Detroit d'Anian connected by dotted lines through the Northwest Passage to Button's Bay located to the west of Hudson Bay. A small coastline of New Zealand appears in the Pacific. The northeast coast of Asia is severely truncated and shows Witsen's Cap de Glaces. Australia's northern coast is shown connected to New Guinea and only the southern tip of Van Diemen's Land is mapped. The most interesting features of the map are the five spheres presented at top. These depict Day and Night, the Flood, the phases of the moon, and the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. The map was precisely engraved by Jan van Luchenburg (signature at lower left). This is the first state.

References: Shirley #622.

Condition: A

Blank margin extended at bottom to accommodate framing. Backed with light Japanese tissue repairing centerfold separation.

Estimate: $1,200 - $1,400

Sold for: $900

Closed on 6/9/2004

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