Catalog Archive
Auction 122, Lot 82

"America Noviter Delineata", Merian, Matthaus

Subject: Western Hemisphere

Period: 1638 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
14 x 11 inches
35.6 x 27.9 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 an odd, dramatic bulge around Mendocino. There is only a hint of the Great Lakes. There is a large inland lake in equatorial South America. Greenland, Iceland and the fictitious Frislandia are shown in a small inset map. Strapwork title cartouche, sea monsters and Spanish galleons decorate the map. Merian's signature is located at the lower right.

References: Burden #251.

Condition: B+

Good impression and delicate coloring. The map has a few, mostly marginal spots at top. There is a repaired cut in the lower left margin, not affecting the map, as well as some hinge remnants on the verso. One pinhole in South America, and a couple of light printer's creases at top.

Estimate: $800 - $1,000

Sold for: $600

Closed on 12/5/2007

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