Catalog Archive
Auction 110, Lot 299

"The Great River Maranon or of the Amazons Geographically Describ'd by Samuel Fritz Missioner on the Said River", Fritz, Samuel [Father]

Subject: South America - Northern

Period: 1715 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
14.5 x 6.2 inches
36.8 x 15.7 cm
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Samuel Fritz, a Jesuit missionary, spent 42 years in South America. During this time he mapped the missionary territory on the Upper Maranon between Peru and Quito, which was involved in a boundary dispute between Spain and Portugal. In 1689 he explored the Amazon and charted the river's course. This was the first approximately correct chart of the Maranon territory. He was also the first to follow the Tunguragua instead of the Gran Para (Ucayali) and proved it to be the real source of the Maranon. His important chart and the fascinating story of his imprisonment as a suspected Spanish spy were copied in numerous accounts during the 18th century.

References:

Condition: B

Nice impression with a couple of spots. Trimmed to neatline at left, apparently for binding.

Estimate: $400 - $475

Sold for: $400

Closed on 3/2/2005

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