Catalog Archive
Auction 169, Lot 113

"The Isle of California. New Mexico. Louisiane. The River Misisipi. And the Lake's of Canada", Moll, Herman

Subject: Western North America, California

Period: 1723 (published)

Publication: The Compleat Geographer...

Color: Black & White

Size:
7.3 x 6.4 inches
18.5 x 16.3 cm
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Herman Moll's map of the island of California and the western part of North America combines a lot of information with quite a bit of nonsense. Just north of California is The North Straits that separate the island from Agubela de Cato and the Land of Panimaha. Further north lies the Straits of Annian and the partial coastline of Annian. Four major rivers flow west into the Gulf of California with The 7 Cittys near the mouth of the Coral R., just west of Acoma. Conibas Lake forms the source of the North or Bravo R. (Rio Grande), which correctly empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Much of the map appears to have been derived from Hennepin, but it contains vastly more detail and the locations of numerous Indian villages, including the Missourits on the bank of what would become the Missouri River. Several forts are shown along the Mississippi River and in the Great Lakes region. In Canada, the Mission des Recolets is located just south of the Lake of Assinibouels, and is noted as ye Farthermost in ye whole Country. A tree near the headwaters of the Mississippi includes the notation: "In this tree is cut the Arms of France." On a sheet of English text measuring 8.6 x 13.6".

References: McLaughlin #144; Philipps (A) #566; Tooley (Amer) p.129 #78; Wagner (NW) #487; Wheat (TMW) #81 & #109.

Condition: B+

Light offsetting from an opposing page of text and light toning along the edges of the sheet.

Estimate: $375 - $450

Sold for: $220

Closed on 9/12/2018

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