"L'Afrique Divisee Suivant l'Estendue de ses Principales Parties…", Sanson/Jaillot

This striking map is the rare first state of Jaillot's map of the continent and is a larger version of Sanson's maps of 1650 and 1668. Engraved by Cordier, it is one of the early works in the collaboration between Sanson and Jaillot. The source of the Nile is shown emanating from two lakes below the equator. This map introduces a new depiction of the rivers south of these Ptolemaic lakes. The Zambeze River appears above the Zambere and Rio de Spiritu Santo, all of which flow into the Indian Ocean. A large section of South America is shown and two St. Helena islands appear - a common error in maps from this period. The large distance scale cartouche has six scales. The very large and decorative title cartouche includes a tumult of figures, cornucopias, elephant, crocodile, lion and ostrich under the coat of arms of the Dauphin. Two sheets joined, as issued. This important map of the continent was copied by several other cartographers including Pieter Mortier and Marc Huguetan, who published their own edition of Jaillot's Atlas Nouveau in 1692, with Jaillot's imprint instead of their own.

References: Betz #118.1; Norwich #46, Tooley (AF) p.56, plt. #41.

Condition: B+

Minor soil and edge tears in margins. The joint has been reinforced with linen on verso.