Catalog Archive
Auction 182, Lot 395

"Mapa de los Paisajes de Cuba [with] Atlas de Cuba",

Subject: Cuba

Period: 1949 (published)

Publication:

Color: Printed Color

Size:
58 x 21.1 inches
147.3 x 53.6 cm
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This dual-language atlas gives a "living picture" of Cuban geography, climate, agriculture, history, culture, and industry. The atlas was created by Gerardo Canet, a Professor of Geography at the Instituto de la Vibora in Havana, in collaboration with Erwin Raisz, a cartographer at the Institute of Geographical Exploration at Harvard University. Each page focuses on a different topic and features a map of Cuba illustrating the topic with related text in both Spanish and English. Additional hand-drawn images of flora, fauna, and places in Cuba are also included, along with numerous informative charts.

The wall-sized folding map of Cuba that accompanied the atlas uses a unique mapping technique that combines hand-drawn aerial mapping with traditional map symbols for man-made elements. The result is a highly engaging and information map. At top right is a large inset with a bird's-eye plan of Havana, and at bottom are vignettes of the types of vegetation found on the island.

Canet published this atlas at the conclusion of his research fellowship at Harvard University, which had been awarded by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation in 1945 and 1947. Erwin Raisz was well-known for his hand-drawn physiographic maps.

Published by Harvard University Press. Bound in pictorial paper wrappers. The map is included but is no longer attached to the atlas.

References:

Condition: B+

The map is clean and bright, issued folding with some short separations and tiny tears along the folds, and a 1" edge tear at left that has been closed on verso with cello tape. The atlas is clean and bright and in excellent condition with the exception of the covers, which are soiled, creased, and almost completely detached. Previous owner's name written in ink on title page.

Estimate: $1,200 - $1,600

Sold for: $950

Closed on 4/28/2021

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