Catalog Archive
Auction 142, Lot 347

"Tabula qua Hydrophylacium Andium exhibetur, quo universa America Australis innumeris fluviis lacubus qe irrigatur", Kircher, Athanasius

Subject: South America

Period: 1682 (published)

Publication: d'Onder-Aardse Weereld

Color: Hand Color

Size:
8 x 13.5 inches
20.3 x 34.3 cm
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Very unusual map of South America from one of the first compilations of semi-scientific knowledge about the physical features of the world. The map is totally devoid of political detail with only a few regional names. Instead the map features the principal rivers, lakes, mountains and volcanoes. The mythical Lake Parime is here mistakenly linked to Lake Titicaca (Parime lacus, alias Titicacca). Paraquay is oddly depicted south of the Rio de la Plata (R. Della Plata), and a huge crater lake, more closely located to Lake Titicaca, is situated just above the Tropic of Capricorn. The Andes are shown as a chain of live volcanoes. The map is embellished with a large title cartouche at bottom. Published in a Dutch edition of Kircher's famous Subterranean World by Johann Waesberger.

References:

Condition: A

Watermarked paper with two professionally repaired chips in left blank margin, not affecting map.

Estimate: $500 - $650

Sold for: $300

Closed on 11/28/2012

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