"Africae Descriptio Nova Impensis", Seile, Henry

This map appeared in the first edition of Peter Heylin's popular Cosmographie that was published by Henry Seile. It is a close copy of John Speed's map of the continent from 1626, including much of the decorative elements. The Nile is shown with its origin in the vicinity of the Congo and conforms to the Ptolemaic concept of rivers from Lake Zaire and Lake Zaflan joining to form the mighty river. The course of the Niger River is incorrectly shown and there are many fictitious lakes in Central Africa. Engraved by William Trevethen, with his signature at lower left. This is the very uncommon first state.

References: Betz #83.1; Norwich #36.

Condition: B+

Remargined at bottom (as maps from this source are often found with defective margins), with some minor paper restoration at lower centerfold not affecting the engraved surface.