Catalog Archive
Auction 135, Lot 683

"A New Map of Africk Shewing its Present General Divisions Cheif Cities or Towns, Rivers, Mountains &c.", Wells, Edward

Subject: Africa

Period: 1701 (published)

Publication: A New Sett of Maps

Color: Hand Color

Size:
19.8 x 14.5 inches
50.3 x 36.8 cm
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For his New Sett of Maps, Edward Wells produced an ancient and a modern map for each subject. On his modern map of Africa, Wells depicts both the traditional twin lake source of the Nile and the correct source of the Blue Nile in the Abyssinian highlands, which credits the information to Hiob Ludolf (Ludolfus). For the other major river systems the map follows the important Jaillot map of 1674. Monomotapa's Kingdom is located in central South Africa. The fictitious island of New St. Helena appears in the South Atlantic. The large cartouche is decorated with the coat of arms of the Duke of Gloucester, to whom the map is dedicated.

References:

Condition: A

Sharp impression with a bit of roughness on paper edges, well away from the map. The lower centerfold has been professionally reinforced.

Estimate: $325 - $400

Sold for: $300

Closed on 2/16/2011

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