Catalog Archive
Auction 94, Lot 388

"Africa Secundum Legitimas Projectionis Stereographicae regulas…", Haas/Homann Heirs

Subject: Africa

Period: 1737 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
18.2 x 22 inches
46.2 x 55.9 cm
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This beautiful 18th century map of Africa shows Homann's 1715 map, augmented by Johann Matthias Haas to include important cartographic developments to the continent after Guillaume De l'Isle and D'Anville. The decorative cartouche (uncolored) features Europeans negotiating with an African prince, with exotic flora and fauna including lions, a jaguar, elephants, a rhinoceros, a crocodile, tropical birds and unidentifiable reptiles complete the composition. It presents a fairly accurate picture without most of the fictitious lakes and rivers of previous cartography. Homann focuses on the known coastal regions of the continent, leaving the interiors blank or marked Terra Incognito. Egypt, Nubia and Abyssinia are shown as distinct entities, Lake Nyasa is shown as Lac Marawi, and the Congo located. However, anomalies and misconceptions still abound, waiting for the 19th century forays to the African interior for correction. The map follows the traditional multi-cultural nomenclature for the continent, most of which is still in use today. The lands south of Egypt were called Aetheopia by the ancient Greeks. Balad as Sudan by Arabs, and Negritia by medieval Latin writers. All these terms mean 'Land of the Blacks'. But according to standard 18th century usage, this map uses these terms as though they were place names.

References: Norwich #83.

Condition: A

Impression in the map is slightly weak, otherwise fine.

Estimate: $800 - $1,000

Sold for: $550

Closed on 3/7/2001

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