Catalog Archive
Auction 150, Lot 302

One of the Earliest Maps Devoted to the Island of California

"Nouveau Mexique", Duval, Pierre

Subject: Southwestern United States & Mexico, California

Period: 1682 (published)

Publication: Le Monde ou la Geographie Universelle

Color: Hand Color

Size:
4.8 x 3.9 inches
12.2 x 9.9 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

The island of California is the main focus of this charming miniature map. The map is filled with place names including the mysterious seven cities of Cibola. The Rio Nort (Rio Grande) originates from a large Lac de Conibas and incorrectly flows into the Mare Vermeio. The map is based on Sanson's Audience de Guadalajara (1657) with the addition of the Destroit d'Anien above the island and several unnamed, north-south, mountain ranges on the mainland. This is the third state with much new nomenclature added on California and Nouvelle Espagne ou Mexique added at lower right. Pierre Duval was Nicolas Sanson's nephew and pupil. He published a wide range of atlases and individual maps including a fine miniature world geography with many of the maps based on Sanson.

References: King (2nd ed) pp. 132-135; Pastoureau, Duval XI Fa.

Condition: A

Watermarked paper with attractive color.

Estimate: $550 - $700

Sold for: $400

Closed on 9/17/2014

Archived