Catalog Archive
Auction 190, Lot 58

Bizarre Mirror Image Map of the Americas

"Hemisphere Occidental du Globe Terrestre Veu en Concave, l'Oeil Etant a la Convexite du Globe ... l'Amerique Septenle l Amerique Meridle, et Partie des Terres Arctiques et Antarctiques...", Moullart-Sanson, Pierre

Subject: Western Hemisphere - America

Period: 1704 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
8.1 x 8.1 inches
20.6 x 20.6 cm
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This very unusual map is presented as a mirror image - as if the viewer was looking at the Americas and the Pacific from an internal viewpoint. California is shown as an island on the Sanson model with a coastline labeled Terre de Jesso stretching between North America and Asia. In the Pacific only parts of the Australian and New Zealand coasts are delineated along with a large partial island labeled Terre de Quir. The place names and text are printed normally. The map was originally printed on a double-sheet with an accompanying Eastern Hemisphere. This example is the second state, which was printed separately.

References: McLaughlin #125; Shirley #592.

Condition: A

A crisp impression on a sheet with a bunch of grapes watermark. There are a few tiny spots and light toning along the sheet's edges, well away from map image. Remnants of hinge tape on verso.

Estimate: $750 - $900

Unsold

Closed on 11/16/2022

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