Catalog Archive
Auction 166, Lot 83

Euler's Scarce 4-Sheet Map of North America

"Mappa Geographica Americae Septentrionalis ad Emendatiora Exemplaria...", Von Euler, Leonhard

Subject: Colonial North America

Period: 1760 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
26.8 x 26.4 inches
68.1 x 67.1 cm
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This is von Euler's scarce four-sheet map of North America. Each sheet has its own title cartouche, and the 4 sheets have been professionally joined. Euler's engraved "cum privilegio" stamp appears on each sheet.

Pars I covers the region from the Mississippi River valley through the American Southwest. It presents a detailed view of French Louisania and the Spanish possessions in New Mexico with a Great Space of Land Unknown and Tecas in between. A notation on a river flowing into Lake of the Woods (The Wood Lake) remarks, "Great River coming from the West discovered lately by the Oshages Savages." A large inset map illustrates Hudson and Baffin Bays with numerous English notations concerning discoveries in the region.

Pars II shows the British and French possessions from Georgia to Newfoundland and Labrador. The Appalachian Mountains weave in an interesting formation through the Mid-Atlantic and South. Numerous Indian tribes are noted throughout, and the fishing banks along the coast of Canada are well depicted.

Pars III covers the region from the Gulf Coast of the U.S. through Mexico to Honduras, and presents a detailed view of the Spanish possessions in New Mexico with the note Country Not Particularly Known in Texas.

Pars IV depicts the Caribbean and Central America with good detail of place names, islands, shoals and reefs. The map extends north to Cumberland Island, Georgia and west to Pensacola, Florida. Florida is quite narrow with southern Florida depicted as a series of large islands. A number of rivers and small lakes fill the peninsula. In contrast, there is little inland detail in South America, where Lake Maracaibo is given an elongated, narrow shape.

References: McCorkle #775.4; Sellers & Van Ee #86.

Condition: B+

A nice impression on paper with watermarks of a large fleur-de-lis and the name "Halle." There is very minor toning, primarily at bottom right, and a professionally repaired centerfold separation that enters 3.5" into image at bottom right.

Estimate: $1,800 - $2,200

Sold for: $1,300

Closed on 2/14/2018

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