Catalog Archive
Auction 148, Lot 723

"Africa", Heylin, Peter

Subject: Africa

Period: 1703 (published)

Publication: Cosmographie in foure Bookes

Color: Black & White

Size:
16.5 x 14 inches
41.9 x 35.6 cm
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This rare map of Africa depicts some unusual interior cartography. The Nile originates in Abyssinia but the large Ptolemaic lakes, Zaire and Zaflan, are retained. But instead of spawning the Nile River, the Zebee River flows into them from the north while the Zaire, Zembeze and several other rivers flow out to the west and south. Numerous kingdoms are located throughout. The title is contained is a small strapwork cartouche.

Peter Heylin was a noted geographer and cosmographer who was also Chaplain to King Charles I of England. He wrote Microcosmus, or a Little Description of the World in 1621 which was later expanded into his Cosmographie, published from 1652 into the early 18th century.

References: Betz, p. 332.

Condition: B

Watermarked paper with light toning along the centerfold and a printer's crease at top. There are several worm tracks that have been professionally infilled and a few tiny wormholes only visible when held to light.

Estimate: $400 - $500

Sold for: $300

Closed on 2/19/2014

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