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Abraham Ortelius. "Americae sive Novi Orbis, Nova Descriptio." Antwerp: Aegidius Coppen Diesth, [1570]-1573. First plate, second state. 14 3/8 x 20. Engraving. Original hand color. Very good condition. Burden: 39.
This beautiful and influential map by Abraham Ortelius is one of the great maps of the Americas from the dawn of modern cartography. It was issued in Ortelius' Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, or 'Theater of the World,' which is considered the first modern atlas. This mother map of the New World is a fascinating reflection of early sixteenth-century exploration of the continents. It includes the most current names given by explorers and the outline of the continent is very accurate, with California appearing properly as a peninsula. This is a fine example of the first version of Ortelius' map, which can be distinguished from a slightly modified version in 1579 and then the more revised 1587 edition in which the bulge on the southwest coast of South America is corrected. The map is a decorative as well as a historical masterpiece, with attractive original color, decorative border, elaborate title cartouche, and embellishments of sailing ships and sea monsters. It offers a privileged view of the European understanding of the New World before the period of permanent settlement. $8,250
Jodocus Hondius "America." From the Mercator-Hondius Atlas. Amsterdam: J. Hondius, [1609]-1628. 14 3/4 x 20. Engraving. Strong, full original color. Some wear along center fold. Otherwise, very good condition. Map image has fine appearance with lovely period color.
Jodocus Hondius (1563-1611) purchased Gerard Mercator's atlas plates in 1604, and published a series of editions of the Mercator-Hondius Atlas, beginning in 1606. This series of constantly updated atlases reflected Hondius' continued pursuit of geographical knowledge and his attempt to maintain the quality of the Mercator atlas. This map of North and South America was added by Hondius to show new information of the continent. The cartographic data for this map was compiled by Hondius from a myriad of sources. For South America, the information is based on the sixteenth century compilation by Michael Mercator. The large number of settlements is due in part to the search for "El Dorado," which is shown as the city of "Manoa" on a large lake in Guyana. For North America, Hondius used other sources and he shows an interesting combination of fact and fantasy. The St. Lawrence River is indicated, but no Great Lakes. The east coast includes an early depiction of the Chesapeake Bay, but the outline of the coast is very distorted. The Pacific Ocean is featured prominently on the map, though few islands are indicated. "Tuberones" and "I. de S. Petro" are the only islands in mid-ocean, with most being shown in the west where New Guinea, the Solomons and other islands are indicated. Some of these are non-existent including "Los Jardines" and "I. de los Ladrones." Further non-existent islands appear in the Atlantic, including Frisland, Bus, Brasil, and "S. Brandao." The mythical geography continues to the south, where a large "Terra Australis" stretches across the map.
Besides its fascinating topographical features, the map abounds with decorative flourishes that make it one of the most attractive early American maps. A cartouche at the bottom left contains vignettes taken from De Bry's works showing how Indians prepare an alcoholic beverage, by chewing roots, then mashing and boiling and storing until fermented. Three Indian canoes are shown, suggesting how Indians from Greenland, Florida, and Brazil fish. The decorative aspects are wonderfully finished off by sea monsters, flying fish, and European and Asian sailing vessels plying the waves. Topographically important and decoratively superb, this is one of the great early American documents. $8,500
John Speed. "America with those parts in that unknowne worlde both people and manner of buildings Discribed and inlarged by J.S. Ano. 1626." From A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World. London: George Humble, [1626]-1627. First state. 15 1/2 x 20 1/5. Engraving by Abraham Goos. With a few light stains. Otherwise, very good condition. English text on verso. Burden: 217 (1).
The rare first state of one of the most decorative and interesting maps of North and South America from the seventeenth century. It was produced by the English cartographer John Speed (1552-1629). Speed is well known for his county maps of Great Britain, but in his Prospect of the World he issued fine maps of other parts of the globe, many of which were decorated with illustrations of native costumes and principal cities of the areas shown. This map of the western hemisphere is the most famous of this type, with views of eight cities in the Americas, as well as ten depictions of natives from the various regions, including the northern, middle and southern parts of the eastern coast of North America.
These superb decorative and historical vignettes provide a perfect frame for Speed's interesting cartographic rendering of the Americas. Considerable detail is shown in South and Central America and the eastern parts of North America, including indications of the Chesapeake, Delaware and Hudson Bays. Of particular note is the depiction of California as an island. This famous geographical misconception is alleged to have originated from a manuscript map by Father Antonio Ascension, based on his misinterpretation of Juan de la Fuca's and Martin d'Aguilar's reports of their explorations of the California coast. This is the first atlas map upon which this misconception appeared and Speed's depiction of the island was thus a major contributing factor in the longevity of this notorious myth. This error actually remained the standard on most maps until well into the 18th century, and it wasn't until Ferdinand VII's royal decree that California was not an island that the isle image finally disappeared from the cartographic world.
The fascination of this map continues in the southern most part of the hemisphere, where Speed shows the latest information available. Tierra del Fuego is drawn as an island, not as part of the hypothesized southern continent, what Speed calls "The Unknowne World." The final flourishes of the map are the myriad small etched ships, sea monsters and flying fish shown in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Speed's maps were issued uncolored, though most of subsequently been colored by dealers or collectors. This is a rare example of the map as issued, and it is a classic combination of best decorative and historic aspects of antique maps. $7,500
John Speed. "America..." London: Thomas Bassett & Richard Chiswell, 1676. 15 1/2 x 20 1/5. Engraving by Abraham Goos. Hand coloring. Very good condition.
A nicely colored version of Speed's map of the Americas, issued in the 1676 edition of his atlas. $8,500
Willem Janszoon Blaeu. "Americae nova Tabula. Auct: Guilielmo Blaeuw." Amsterdam: W.J. Blaeu, 1631. Third state. 16 x 21 5/8. Engraving. Lovely, original hand color. Narrow margin at left, as issued, just touching neatline at bottom; some new margin added for matting. Very good condition. Latin text on verso. Burden 189.
One of the most sought-after and decorative maps of North and South America, a gem by Willem (Guilielmus) Janszoon Blaeu. Willem Blaeu (1571-1638) was the progenitor of the famous Blaeu cartographic firm of Amsterdam. He studied astronomy and sciences with Tycho Brahe, and in 1599 established a globe and instrument making business which soon expanded to include cartographic and geographic publishing. This firm was to go on to become the largest and most important cartographic publishing firms in the world, run by his sons Cornelis (until his death in 1642) and Joan. The maps issued by the Blaeu firm are known for their fine engraving, coloring and design, and have been called "the highest expression of Dutch cartographical art."
This lovely map of North and South America is typical of the work of Willem Blaeu, with an up-to-date topographical depiction surrounded by decorative borders. The geographical image is fascinating, with accuracies and inaccuracies combined in a mix that reflects the best available knowledge of the day. The general picture is very good, but many cartographic myths are represented including the fictional islands of Frisland and Brasil and the famous non-existent city of gold, El Dorado. Decoratively, the map is one of the most beautiful of the golden age of Dutch cartography. Along the top are nine vignette views of the major cities on the continent, while ten pairs of figures line the sides illustrating the dress of the local inhabitants. The decorative features continue within the map area, with numerous sailing ships and sea monsters plying the waves, as well as vignettes of natives in South America. With its intricate flourishes, fascinating ethnological and historic detail, lovely original color, this is a superb item of seventeenth century art and cartographic history. $9,500
Willem Janszoon Blaeu. "Americae nova Tabula. Auct: Guilielmo Blaeuw." Amsterdam: W.J. Blaeu, [1621]. Third state. 16 x 21 5/8. Engraving. Hand color. Some soft wrinkles by centerfold. Otherwise, very good condition. French text on verso. Burden 189.
Another example of the delightful Blaeu map of the western hemisphere. $7,500
Johann Baptist Homann. "Totius Americae Septentrionalis et Meridionalis novissima repræsentio..." Nuremberg: J.B. Homann, [1710]. 19 1/4 x 22 1/2. Engraving. Original hand color. Very good condition. Tooley: 79.
An attractive map of the western hemisphere based on information from other cartographers. The information for California, is based on Sanson, but with the addition of several town names. Though the German publishers were often criticized for not keeping their maps up-to-date, here the Homann firm has updated the map to correct the earlier mistaken depiction of California as an island. The large cartouche is from De Fer's map of 1699, and the descriptive cartouche is in part copied from De Lisle's map of Canada of 1703. As is typical of German publications, some of the most interesting features of this map are its title cartouche. Exact dating of Homann maps is difficult because the founder died in 1724; nevertheless, his work and planning were recognized in subsequent productions by his son Johann Christoph Homann (1701-1730). After 1730 the imprint on the maps was changed to read, "Homann Heirs" or "Heredes," "Heretiers," "Homannischen Erben," or some such designation. Since the firm usually published composite atlases rather than uniform trade editions with printed tables of contents, exact dating of individual maps is difficult if not impossible. This map shows an excellent picture of the Americas for many Europeans in the early eighteenth century. $1,600
A later edition of the same map, published after JB Homann's death:
Guillaume Delisle. "Carte d'Amerique." Paris: Ph. Buache, [1722]-1745. 19 1/4 x 24. Engraving by Buache. Some light surface stains, but overall very good condition. Lined on old linen.
A detailed French map of the American continents by Guillaume Delisle. Delisle was the leading French cartographer of the eighteenth century and one of the greatest of all time. He is known as the "father of scientific cartography" for his production of maps based upon scientific principles and his role in establishing this as the standard for all cartographers. Delisle was particularly important in updating information on the Americas, and this map is quite accurate in its rendering of the river systems in North America, including the Colorado River, the Rio Grande, and the Mississippi, not to mention a very good depiction of the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes. Buache followed Delisle in prominence as a scientific cartographer, keeping current on many new discoveries and explorations. Unfortunately, he also sometimes spread cartographic misinformation, as is the case with this 1745 reissue of Delisle's map. Delisle's map had gone through several editions, but this is the first to show a large "Mer de l'Ouest" in the northwest part of the continent. This is based on the mythical discoveries of Martin D'Augilar and Juan De Fuca and is part of the misinformation that was generated by the search for the hoped-for Northwest Passage. Buache bought into this incorrect information and even included an inset showing the supposed connections of Sea of the West to waters that might lead to the Northwest Passage. French scientific cartography was responsible for many advances in the depiction of North America, but other times for backwards steps. This is a prime example of the latter and an important map for those interested in the hunt of the Northwest Passage. $950
"Americae Mappa Generalis." Nuremberg, Homann Heirs, 1746. 18 1/2 x 21 3/8. Engraving. Full, original color. Some stains in right and top margin. Otherwise, very good condition. Lowery: 383.
An updated map of the western hemisphere by the Homann Heirs. The map shows the continent on the eve of the conflicts that would soon erupt and change the political face of North America. The then current political situation is depicted using contrasting colors. Interior waterways are exaggerated a bit, but the rendering is basically in line with current knowledge, for instance with California shown properly as a peninsula and the unknown northwestern lands left blank rather than filled in with guesswork. The Homann Heirs maps, like those of the first Homann, are especially noted for their elaborate cartouches, and this is a good example. The cartouche has two volcanoes exploding in the distance, and two pairs of Native Americans are shown in the European notion of native dress. Trade goods, local fauna and two parrots complete this delightful baroque image. $1,350
Emanuel Bowen. "A New and Accurate Map of America." From John Harris' Complete Collection of Voyages and Travels. London, 1748. 14 3/8 x 17 5/8. Engraving. Short repaired separation at top of centerfold. Otherwise, very good condition.
Emanuel Bowen was a map engraver, printer and publisher in London in the mid-eighteenth century. He achieved considerable success in this field, being appointed as engraver to both Louis XV of France and George II of Britain, and later as Geographer to the latter. He produced some of the most interesting maps of his time. Despite his royal appointments and apparent success, Bowen died in poverty in 1767. Through all the vicissitudes of his life, however, Emanuel Bowen's maps continued at a very high level of quality, as exemplified by this nicely detailed map of the American continents. "Drawn from the most approved modern Maps and Charts, and adjusted by Astronomical Observations: Exhibiting the Course of the Trade Winds both in the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans." As Bowen notes, the trade winds are noted, for this was important information in the eighteenth century for the many ships plying the trade routes in both oceans. Bowen fills each continent with much interior information, much of it quite accurate. Bowen is cautious to show only what he believed had sufficient evidence, leaving the entire northwest part of North America ("parts Undiscovered") blank except for a vaguely drawn coast with one feature: "The Supposed Straits of Annian." In the southwest Santa Fe and Alamillo are indicated, and Indian tribes are noted in various spots. The lovely title cartouche shows Native Americans, one of whom casually rests his feet on a placid alligator. $750
Jean Janvier. "L'Amerique divisée Par Grands Etats." Paris: Jean Lattré & J. Thomas, 1762. From Atlas Moderne. 12 x 17 3/4. Engraving. Original outline color. Very good condition.
Jean Janvier was a French cartographer who worked in Paris in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Among his output were some fine maps which appeared in Jean Lattré's Atlas Moderne. This atlas contained maps of all parts of the world engraved by Lattré, the "Graveur Ordinaire du Roi." Janvier's maps contained the best information available at the time, even though some of it was erroneous. This map of North and South America is a good example of this, for the information on the coastlines, islands, rivers, major cities is all excellent, yet the map features a large, non-existent lake, "Mer ou Baye De l'Ouest" in the Pacific Northwest. This large lake was a result of the mistaken belief in a Northwest Passage through the interior of the continent, and this depiction is a classic of this cartographic myth. Janvier shows the political division of the colonies of Spain, Portugual, France and England, interpreted from the French point of view. The map has a lovely title cartouche gracing the lower right corner. A scattering of islands is depicted in the Pacific; many are correct but non-existent islands also abound. $450
Jean Janvier. “L’Amerique divisée en ses principaux Etats.” Paris: Jean Lattré & Delalain, 1784. Map mounted on backing and cut into pieces to make a puzzle. Map: 18 1/2 x 26. Engraving. Original hand color. Some surface stains. A few narrow ends of pieces broken off. Overall, very good condition.
Jean Janvier was a French cartographer who worked in Paris in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Janvier’s maps contained the best information available at the time, even though some of it was erroneous. This map of North and South America is a good example of this, for the information on the coastlines, islands, rivers, major cities is all excellent, yet the map features a large, non-existent lake, “Mer ou Baye De l’Ouest” in the Pacific Northwest. This large lake was a result of the mistaken belief in a Northwest Passage through the interior of the continent, and this depiction is a classic of this cartographic myth. Janvier shows the political division of the colonies of Spain, Portugal, France and England, as well as the newly formed United States, as interpreted from the French point of view. The map is nicely colored and an elaborate title cartouche graces the upper left corner. This edition of his map was, as noted in the title cartouche, updated to reflect the information gained from the voyages of Capt. James Cook. Map puzzles have a long history, but few survive intact, especially from the eighteenth century. $1,800
Robert Sayer. "America Divided Into North and South with Their Several Divisions and the Newest Discoveries." London: R. Sayer, 1789. 19 1/2 x 21 1/4. Engraving. Faint, original outline color. A few repaired tears and chips in margins, one tear just extending into map. Otherwise, very good condition.
A clearly presented map of North and South America by the English cartographic publisher Robert Sayer, probably based on a map by French cartographer D'Anville. Detail is quite good, including settlements, rivers, lakes, major political divisions, some orography, and native tribal areas. The map is quite accurate and excludes many of the cartographic fallacies of the day. Where Sayer was unsure of the reality of an alleged geographic feature, he would note "according to some" or "doubtful" or "Islands seen by the Spaniards" or some other similar phrase. Despite his care, however, the map does include as definite some other cartographic myths, including Mayda and Green Islands in the Atlantic and Lake Parima in South America, the latter non-existent place the original home of El Dorado. $525
J. Rapkin. "Western Hemisphere." From The Illustrated Atlas. London: John Tallis & Co., 1851. 9 3/4 x 13 1/4. Map drawn and engraved by J. Rapkin. Illustrations drawn by H. Warren and engraved by J. Rogers. Original outline color. Full margins. Very good condition.
Beginning in 1851, John Tallis & Co. issued their Illustrated Atlas, which contained maps of all parts of the world. These detailed maps are particularly known for their decorative borders and the small, finely engraved vignettes of local scenes. This map of the western hemisphere is no exception, containing twelve small images of American natives and fauna. Besides these decorative features, the map contains a plethora of details on the rivers, topography, towns, and political divisions of the continents. All in all, a very decorative and informative map of the hemisphere. $250
Go to page with other maps by Tallis.
"Universal Series Map of Western Hemisphere." Chicago: Rand McNally & Company, ca. 1923. Separately issued map; dissected into 24 sections and mounted on linen. 55 x 39 1/4. Folded into cloth-covered boards. Chromolithograph. Light, scattered spots; with wear in upper right corner including old repairs; else, good condition. With insets, "Map of the World on Mercator's Projection," "Popular Map of North Polar Regions," "Popular Map of South Polar Regions," and "Popular Map of the Canal Zone."
Large and colorful, this map offers a thorough, informative presentation of the American continents. Supplemented by inset maps of Mercator's projection of the world and both polar regions, it would have been a useful teaching tool in the classroom or perhaps a handy reference in a personal library. In addition to the comprehensive map insets, the detailed image of the Panama Canal Zone highlighted the massive construction effort completed there in 1914. Since the days of early Spanish exploration, nations had looked for a way to bring ships through the Panamanian isthmus, and the United States' successful completion of a canal cemented its position as a world power. Accompanying that mark of American pride on this map is an inset photograph of the United States Capitol building. Described with flowery prose, the copy writer compares Benjamin Henry Latrobe's structure to such architectural wonders as the Louvre and St. Paul's. In 1923, the economy was booming, the Great War had been won, and the United States remained the reigning power in the Western Hemisphere - all factors contributing to the deep-seated feeling of national security that is reflected in this fascinating map. $185
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