Catalog Archive
Auction 164, Lot 349

De Fer's Important Map of the Island of California

"Cette Carte de Californie et du Nouveau Mexique, est Tiree de Celle qui a ete Envoyee par un Grand d'Espagne...", Fer, Nicolas de

Subject: Southwestern United States & Mexico, California

Period: 1700 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
13.4 x 9 inches
34 x 22.9 cm
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This small map is very important in the cartographic history of California and the Southwest. Ironically it is one of the only maps of the period to focus on the island of California, and the first map to show the discoveries of Father Eusebio Kino, the man who disproved that California island theory. According to Wagner, the map is purportedly based on a manuscript drawn by Father Kino in 1696. The island is named Californias o Carolinas and a number of new place names are introduced here for the first time, including the interestingly titled Ba. d. las 11000 Virgenes (Bay of 11,000 Virgins). Numerous place names are shown in what is now the southwestern part of the United States, including Santa Fe, Acoma, and Casa Grande. Additionally 314 different places are located and keyed to a table that fills a large portion of the map; thus presenting remarkable documentation of the native settlements in the region. Engraved by Inselin, who also engraved Kino's famous map.

Above the map is a panel of text describing the various Spanish explorations in the region. The text was printed on a separate sheet that was joined with the map for inclusion in a larger atlas.

References: McLaughlin #134; Tooley (Amer) p.126, #62; Wagner #462; Wheat (TMW) #78.

Condition: A

A sharp impression on a bright sheet with several damp stains primarily confined to the blank margins, with the exception of a faint stain entering the map border at right.

Estimate: $1,200 - $1,500

Sold for: $700

Closed on 9/13/2017

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