Catalog Archive
Auction 123, Lot 768

"Guinea", Wit, Frederick de

Subject: Western Africa

Period: 1680 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
20.8 x 16.5 inches
52.8 x 41.9 cm
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Elegantly engraved map covering the coast from Sierra Leone to Gabon. The land is filed with elephants, lions, leopards and monkeys and the sea is decorated with sailing ships. Two natives with pearls, a parrot, and very human-looking monkeys decorate the large title cartouche. To the right, two child-like sea creatures are carrying a large elephant tusk. This is similar to both the Blaeu and Jansson map of the same title, but it is larger in size and it lacks the rhumb lines, calligraphy, and one cartouche.

References: cf Goss (Blaeu) pp. 148; cf Norwich #315.

Condition: B+

A superb impression on sheet with rich original color. There is a split in the upper centerfold that has been reinforced on the verso with archival tape. The wide margins have a couple of tears and spots, not affecting the map.

Estimate: $500 - $600

Sold for: $325

Closed on 2/20/2008

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