Catalog Archive
Auction 132, Lot 85

"Idea Naturalis Americae Borealis Digito dei Formata Geographice Proposita", Scherer, Heinrich

Subject: North America

Period: 1700 (dated)

Publication: Atlas Novus

Color: Hand Color

Size:
14 x 8.8 inches
35.6 x 22.4 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. It is decorated with two cartouches; one is capped with a globe revealing the Western Hemisphere and the other is surrounded with exotic animals, most not native to North America such as a rhinoceros and a lion. The most alluring features of the map are the multitude of fanciful wildlife on the land, and the sea-life and monsters filling the oceans.

References: McLaughlin #140; Tooley (Amer) p. 132.

Condition: A+

Estimate: $1,100 - $1,400

Sold for: $850

Closed on 6/2/2010

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