Catalog Archive
Auction 170, Lot 92

Showing the Island of California

"Amerique Septentrionale Divisee en ses Principales Parties, ou sont Distingues les uns des Autres les Estats...", Sanson/Mortier

Subject: Colonial North America

Period: 1696 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
34.2 x 21.1 inches
86.9 x 53.6 cm
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This beautiful map of the Americas shows California as an island in the style of the second Sanson model (1656) with the indented northern coastline. A small peninsula Agubela de Gato is the only part of the Pacific coastline shown north of California. A strip of Terre de Jesso is shown in the Pacific immediately west of northern California. Santa Fe is shown along the R. del Norte (Rio Grande River), but the river erroneously drains into the Gulf of California. The two western Great Lakes are open-ended, and Lake Erie is too far south, split by the 40th parallel. The eastern part of the continent is divided into Nouvelle France and Floride with Virginia, New Sweden, New Amsterdam and New England hugging the coast. The decorative title cartouche is adorned with the arms of the Dauphine, two natives and tropical birds. Beautifully engraved by Cordier. This is Mortier's edition of Jaillot's map, in which Mortier purposely omitted his imprint in order to capitalize on the popularity of Jaillot's Atlas Nouveau.

References: Burden #686; McLaughlin #55; Wheat (TMW) #58; McCorkle #674.3.

Condition: B

Original outline color with toning along the centerfold, minor offsetting, and several light extraneous creases. Two tiny worm holes at bottom are only visible when held to light.

Estimate: $1,800 - $2,200

Sold for: $1,100

Closed on 11/14/2018

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