Subject: Southern South America
Period: 1780 (dated)
Publication:
Color: Hand Color
Size:
25.4 x 19.5 inches
64.5 x 49.5 cm
This is Dezauche's issue of this large, finely engraved map of the southern part of South America with great topographical detail and notations throughout. It delineates the tracks of Magellan, Sarmiento, Brower, Beauchesne, Sharp, Sr. de la Roche, Halley, and Vespucci and shows Amerigo Vespucci's ship sailing in the Atlantic. Northeast of Tierra del Fuego is the mythical Pepys Island, which was fabricated by William Hacke to please Samuel Pepys, the secretary of the British Admiralty. An interesting note in French refers to curious half-bird, half-fish creatures with swan-like necks that swim in the icy waters, with an accompanying illustration. The title cartouche, drawn and engraved by C. Simonneau, features the Notus (the south wind) and Native American figures.
References: Tooley (Amer) p. 28, #83.
Condition: B+
A nice impression on paper with the watermark of the Maltese cross encircled by rosary beads. There is some color offsetting, light soiling, and minor dampstaining confined to the bottom blank margin.