Subject: Africa
Period: 1600-1850 (circa)
Publication:
Color: Hand Color
A. Africa, by Bertius, from Tabulae Geographicae Contractae, published 1600 (5 x 4"). This miniature map of the continent appears to be a reduced version of Hondius' folio map with the typical misconceptions of the period. There are sea monsters in the oceans including a very fierce lion-headed one just south of Madagascar. Latin text on verso. Ref: Betz, #37. Condition: Toned with a couple of insignificant spots and a few short tears along plate mark that have been closed on verso with archival tape. (B)
B. L'Afrique Suivant les Nouvlles Observations, by Le Rouge, dated 1748 (11 x 8.5"). This small map of the continent identifies the political divisions by tribal name. Lake Malawi is shown with a string of central islands. A mounted horseman and several elephants adorn the title cartouche. Condition: Old color with a couple of short centerfold separations. Also a faint damp stain in upper-right blank margin. (B+)
C. Africa bis zur Eroberung Durch Die Araber im VIIten Jahrhundert, by Karl von Spruner, from Spruner's Historische Atlas, published by Justus Perthes, circa 1850 (14.3 x 11.3"). This ancient map of Africa shows the possessions of the Romans, Arabs, and Indians before the conquest of the Arabs in the seventh century. Condition: Wide margins with a couple of damp stains in blank margins, far from map image. (A)
D. Africa Seit Anfang des XVten Jahrhundert's, by Karl von Spruner, from Spruner's Historische Atlas, published by Justus Perthes, circa 1850 (14.5 x 12.3). This interesting map of Africa depicts the various European possessions from the fifteenth century to the nineteenth century. A small inset map shows the colonies along the "Gold Coast" of Africa in present-day Ghana, Togo, and Benin. A larger inset map details the northwestern coasts of Morocco and Algeria based on the accounts of Joannes Leo Africanus, who authored Descrittione dell'Africa, a mid-sixteenth century book on the geography of North Africa. Condition: Original color with a nice color key, and a few damp stains in blank margins. (A)
References:
Condition:
See description.