Catalog Archive
Auction 138, Lot 51

"Eastern Hemisphere", Playfair, James

Subject: Eastern Hemisphere

Period: 1821 (circa)

Publication: A New General Atlas

Color: Hand Color

Size:
17.6 x 17.8 inches
44.7 x 45.2 cm
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Dr. Playfair (1738-1819), was a minister, historiographer to the Prince of Wales, and Principal of the United College of St Salvator and St Leonard in the University of St Andrews from 1799 until his death. The maps from Playfair's A New General Atlas are quite scarce. This map of the eastern hemisphere depicts Africa with a largely blank interior. Papua New Guinea, New Britain and Australia are fairly misshapen, and the Louisiade Archipelago is only partially depicted. There are several notes regarding Captain Cook's expeditions. Engraved by B. Smith.

References:

Condition: C+

Original color with light soiling. A long centerfold separation and a few small tears and holes along centerfold have been closed on verso with archival tape. There is a vertical crease along centerfold, a small tear along the southwestern coast of Africa, and a few short tears and chips in blank margins.

Estimate: $100 - $130

Sold for: $75

Closed on 12/7/2011

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