Catalog Archive
Auction 189, Lot 313

"A New Map of South America; Shewing It's General Divisions, Chief Cities & Towns; Rivers, Mountains &c...", Wells, Edward

Subject: South America

Period: 1700 (circa)

Publication: A New Sett of Maps Both of Antient and Present Geography…

Color: Black & White

Size:
19.3 x 14.3 inches
49 x 36.3 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

This uncommon and handsome map of South America includes little detail except for missions and notes concerning European discoveries, such as a note in Brazil that the Portuguese discovered the region about 1501 but "possess little more than the coasts; the inland parts being inhabited by Barbarous Nations who still maintain their freedom." Buenos Aires, Lima, Cusco, Quito, and Salvador are among the cities named. The fictitious Parima Lake appears north of the Amazon, and there is a large lake with several islands in it at the center of the continent with several rivers branching off it, including the Parana. A very large elaborate title cartouche features the British coat of arms and is dedicated to William Duke of Gloucester, who was Wells' student at Oxford. Engraved by Benjamin Cole.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) T.WELL-1a #40

Condition: A

A dark impression on a clean sheet with a Strasbourg Lily watermark. There are a few faint spots in the image, otherwise fine.

Estimate: $400 - $475

Sold for: $250

Closed on 9/14/2022

Archived