Catalog Archive
Auction 130, Lot 94

"Provinciae Borealis Americae non ita Pridem Detectae aut Magis ab Europaeis Excultae", Scherer, Heinrich

Subject: North America

Period: 1703 (circa)

Publication: Atlas Novus

Color: Hand Color

Size:
13.7 x 9.2 inches
34.8 x 23.4 cm
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This captivating map of North America features a huge island of California, an oversized depiction of the Great Lakes, and a misplaced Mississippi River delta. The interior is packed with a helter-skelter arrangement of mountains, rivers and lakes. There is a hint of the Northwest Passage hidden by the title cartouche. The mythical cities of Cibola are located north of Santa Fe. The large vignette at bottom right depicts three explorers - French, Spanish and English - each displaying a map of their respective possessions in North America to subjugated natives. Other ornaments include the ships of these colonial powers, a title cartouche, and sea monsters.

References: McLaughlin #160;Tooley (Amer) p.131, #86.

Condition: A

There is a tiny fold separation at bottom of map, else fine.

Estimate: $1,600 - $2,000

Unsold

Closed on 12/2/2009

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