"Africa Vetus", Sanson/Mariette

This map of ancient Africa presents the whole continental outline but without any geographical information from the European discoveries of the sixteenth century. The geographical representation of the interior and place names are based on Ptolemy and other classical sources. The map is divided into regions with the tribes of southern Africa labeled Anthropophagi Aethiopes (cannibals). The interior geography is standard for the period with the Ptolemaic twin lakes conception of the Nile's origin. The cartouche is flanked by a pair of eagles. Engraved by Antoine Peyrounin. This map was only published between 1650-1666, as it was replaced by a newly engraved map by Sanson's son, Guillaume, in 1667.

References: Betz #79; Norwich #35; Pastoureau, SANSON V A [203].

Condition: B+

A crisp impression with contemporary outline color on a sheet with a large coat of arms watermark, minor toning along the centerfold, a short printer's crease at bottom right, and soiling in the blank margin at top right.