This is an English version of Father Kino's important map that disproved the theory that California is an island. This was the first map to accurately depict the region, in particular the relative positions of the Colorado and Gila rivers and the correct location of the rivers, valleys, and mountains of part of Sonora and Arizona. Kino's publication, first issued in 1705, was intended to disprove the island theory, but instead actually fueled the controversy and thus the map was reprinted many times. A scarce map that is essential to any collection of California or the American Southwest. This version was engraved by Hulett with Plate IX. Vol. V. Part II. page 192 (right of the cartouche).

Describing the manuscript map on which it was based, Wheat writes "On this small but influential map, which extends south on the peninsula to Loreto and s. Fran.co Xavier de Bige, and to the Rio de Cinaloa on the Sonora coast, the Gila (termed the R. Hila) is correctly shown flowing westerly into the Colorado River not far from the larger river's mouth ... Kino's map exerted a great influence on contemporary cartography, especially after the French mapmaker, Guillaume Delisle, adopted the redoubtable missionary's thesis ..."

Accompanying the map is an extract from the Jesuit letters containing the report of Francisco Maria Piccolo - "Of a Passage by Land to California, and a Description of that Country" (pp. 191-196). The writings and letters of the Jesuit Father Piccolo, a contemporary of Salvatierra and Kino, describe his work as a missionary and explorer in California, where he preached to the California tribes in their native languages. He speaks highly of the possibilities of California. Piccolo's account as found in the present volume is an early account of California in English.

References: cf. Wheat (TMW) #89; cf. Wagner #483; cf. Schwartz & Ehrenberg plt. #75.

Condition: A

Issued folding with minor offsetting.