This map of Africa is interesting for its strange depiction of the Nile, which originates in a large lake south of the Equator. From this lake three large rivers flow to the seas: the Nile to the Mediterranean, the Congo to the Atlantic and what could be the Zambeze to the Indian Ocean. This map is based on the Gastaldi-Ortelius and Mercator models, although it includes the unique feature of a lake along the Equator into which both the two Ptolemaic lakes flow. The sea is engraved in a moiré pattern, and the map is further decorated with a strapwork title cartouche and three sea monsters, including a sea "lion." Though not signed, this map was likely engraved by either Jodocus Hondius or Petrus Kaerius, who engraved the majority of the maps of the Caert-thresoor (Map Treasury). This is the scarce first state without degrees of latitude in the borders, published by Cornelius Claesz and printed by Langenes. Dutch text on verso.

References: King (2nd ed.) pp. 80-82; Betz #37.

Condition: B+

There is light soiling, minor show-through of text on verso, and a couple of minute worm holes only visible when held to light.