Blaeu's Carte-a-Figures Map of Africa

"Africae Nova Descriptio", Blaeu, Willem

This is one of the most decorative seventeenth century maps of the African continent and a superb example of the Dutch carte-a-figures style. The map is surrounded on three sides with vignettes of native peoples and nine principal cities. The Nile is shown according to Ptolemy with its sources arising in the lakes Zaire and Zaflan, the fictitious Lake Sachaf of Laurent Fries appears, as well as the R. de Spirito Santo. The map is further embellished with numerous ships, sea monsters (including a great seahorse), a compass rose, and exotic animals wandering all over the continent. This is the third state of the map with some re-engraving of the copperplate. Dutch text on verso, published between 1647-64.

References: Betz #57.3; Norwich #32; Van der Krogt (Vol. II) #8600:2.

Condition: B+

A nice impression on a bright sheet. There are professional repairs to some separations along the centerfold and to a 1.5" tear adjacent to the southern tip of Africa. The map has been professionally remargined at right and left with a small amount of the border at bottom left skillfully replaced in facsimile.