Catalog Archive
Auction 139, Lot 347

"The Great River Maranon or of the Amazons Geographically Describ'd by Samuel Fritz Missioner on the Said River", Fritz, Samuel [Father]

Subject: Northern South America

Period: 1715 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
14.5 x 6.3 inches
36.8 x 16 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

Samuel Fritz, a Jesuit missionary, spent 42 years in South America. During this time he mapped the missionary territory on the Upper Maranon between Peru and Quito, which was involved in a boundary dispute between Spain and Portugal. In 1689 he explored the Amazon and charted the river's course. This was the first approximately correct chart of the Maranon territory. He was also the first to follow the Tunguragua instead of the Gran Para (Ucayali) and proved it to be the real source of the Maranon. His important chart and the fascinating story of his imprisonment as a suspected Spanish spy were copied in numerous accounts during the 18th century. This map depicts the numerous tributaries of the Amazon River and identifies cities of all sizes, including Quito, Lima, and Cuzco. The mythical Parima L. takes a rectangular shape just north of the great river.

References:

Condition: B+

A few faint spots with a professionally repaired chip at bottom right with a minor amount of neatline in facsimile. Remargined at bottom to better accommodate framing. A "Y" has been stamped in black ink at the bottom of the title cartouche.

Estimate: $400 - $500

Unsold

Closed on 2/15/2012

Archived