Catalog Archive
Auction 182, Lot 73

"Novus Orbis sive America Meridionalis et Septentrionalis, per sua Regna Provincias et Insulas Iuxta Observationes et Descriptiones Recentiss. Divisa et Adornata...", Seutter, Matthias

Subject: Western Hemisphere - America

Period: 1740 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
22.4 x 19.3 inches
56.9 x 49 cm
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This striking map of the Americas features a prominent island of California based on the second Sanson model, with two indented bays in the northern coast. Directly above the island is the strait of Fretum Anian and the coastline of Terra Esonis incogn, which is obscured by an elaborate pictorial cartouche relating to the religious conversion of the natives. The Great Lakes are somewhat distorted, with large spurious bays on the west coasts of lakes Superior and Michigan. A suggestion of a Northwest Passage is hinted at through a portage between rivers inspired by the reports of Baron Lahontan. The map is filled with place names and details the tracks of the major voyages of exploration in the Pacific. An array of exotic birds flutter above the large title cartouche that depicts Native Americans fishing, cutting sugar cane, farming, and paying tribute to a chief. A secondary cartouche contains text relating the important discoveries in America and the conversion of the natives to Christianity. This is the second state with Clima labels in the side borders.

References: McLaughlin #211-2; Tooley (Amer) pp. 132, #91, plt. 61.

Condition: B+

Contemporary color in the map with later color in the cartouche, a small worm track in Greenland, and a few small holes in the blank margins. There are archival repairs to a long centerfold separation at bottom and a chip in the top blank margin.

Estimate: $1,100 - $1,400

Sold for: $900

Closed on 4/28/2021

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