Catalog Archive
Auction 106, Lot 71

"America noviter delineata", Merian, Matthaus

Subject: Western Hemisphere

Period: 1638 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
14 x 11 inches
35.6 x 27.9 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

Merian prepared this reduced version of his 1631 map for the German translation of Pierre d'Avity's Les Empires du Monde and it accompanied other works of the period including Theatrum Europaeum. It is one of the many derivatives of Jodocus Hondius' map of 1618. North America is depicted with a prominent Virginia and an odd New England coastline. The western coastline above California makes the continent entirely too wide. There is only a hint of the Great Lakes. There is a large inland lake in equatorial South America. Small inset of Greenland. Strapwork title cartouche with a sea monster and Spanish galleons decorate the map. Merian's signature at lower right.

References: Burden #251.

Condition: B

Nice, dark impression and good coloring. A few spots, else very good. Margins with a few short tears and paper repair on verso of wormhole at top margin, well away from map.

Estimate: $800 - $1,000

Sold for: $900

Closed on 3/3/2004

Archived