"[On 4 Sheets] Afrique Publiee sous les Auspices de Monseigneur le Duc d'Orleans Premier Prince du Sang", D'Anville/Santini

This large map of the continent spans across four sheets, with the two northern and two southern sheets joined. There is fine detail clustered along the coastline, including place names, political divisions, rivers, and more, but much of the interior remains unexplored. Plenty of notes appear throughout the map, providing information on the land, its native inhabitants, the wildlife, and more. Above the equator, the speculative twin lakes to the north of the Montagnes de la Lune are shown, with an extended note nearby explaining that they are the sources of the Nile. Surrounding islands are located, such as Madagascar, Cape Verde, and the Canary Islands. A small inset at top left focuses on the Azores. A massive decorative title cartouche completes the composition at top right, with allegorical figures and wildlife, including an ostrich, a camel, and a lion.

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Condition: B+

A fine impression and original outline color on sturdy watermarked sheets with light toning along the joints, minor soiling, and faint damp stains along the top of the sheets. A small chip in the top blank margin of the top sheet has been professionally repaired.