Catalog Archive
Auction 118, Lot 857

"To the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Peterborow, and Monmouth, &c, This Map of Africa…", Moll, Herman

Subject: Africa

Period: 1715 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
38 x 22.8 inches
96.5 x 57.9 cm
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This spectacular and immense map of Africa on two joined sheets contains a wealth of detail and information typical for the time. The map shows the whole continent as well as Madagascar, portions of the coast of Asia, Ceylon, India, and Brazil. The map is inset with a view of the Cape of Good Hope, showing the bay filled with ships, Table Mountain and a key to the locations noted. The three other insets include Cape Coast Castle on the Gold Coast of Guinea, James Fort on St. Helena and a plan of the Fort of Good Hope. There is a wonderful note in Guinea, as follows: I am credibly informed that ye country about 400 leagues North of the Coast of Guinea is inhabited by white Men, or at least a different kind of People from the Blacks, who wear Cloaths, and have ye use of Letters, make Silk, and that some of them keep the Christian Sabbath. The old sources of the Nile, Lakes Zaire and Zaflan, have been turned into swamps and are no longer connected to the Nile. The sea is filled with indications of currents, as well as a good route to take to the East Indies from England. Decorated with a lovely compass rose and a cartouche that has a native wrestling a crocodile, an ostrich, two battling snakes, a lion and an elephant.

References: Norwich #67.

Condition: D

Toned on folds and paper joint, due to masking tape on verso. Some stains in map, as some staining and weakness at the lower paper joint. Fold separation about 1.5 inches into map at the top. Still a striking piece that is deserving of professional conservation.

Estimate: $400 - $500

Sold for: $1,000

Closed on 3/6/2007

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