Subject: Africa
Period: 1814 (dated)
Publication: Grand Atlas Universal
Color: Hand Color
Size:
25 x 18.7 inches
63.5 x 47.5 cm
This lot contains the four matching quadrant maps plus the key map. The four quadrant sheets show Africa in great detail including rivers, villages and towns, mountains, caravan routes, deserts and oasis, political boundaries plus fine coastal detail. Two large insets show Ile de France and Ile Bourbon. The interior is blank and noted as unknown. The source of the Nile River is shown correctly. The four sheets are meant to be joined into a stunning map that would together measure approximately 59" x 43.5". The upper left sheet has the title in decorative lettering with fancy flourishes. The key map is on the same size sheet and is an identical but reduced image of the larger map when assembled. Each of the maps is on a full sheet measuring 39" x 26.5". A rarely encountered set of matching elephant folio maps from this scarce atlas. Dated 1814 in the title.
References: cf Norwich #127
Condition: B+
Very nice impression and original hand coloring on thick hand laid paper with wide margins and deckled edges. The maps have a few scattered light spots. Some of the edges are a little rough with small chips and edge darkening.