Johann Matthias Haas was a professor of mathematics at Wittenberg. For his map of Africa he used J.B. Homann's 1715 map, augmented to include important cartographic developments after Guillaume Delisle and D'Anville. Thus, his map presents a fairly accurate picture without most of the fictitious lakes and rivers of previous cartography. It focuses on the known coastal regions of the continent, leaving the interior blank or marked Terra Incognita. Egypt, Nubia, and Abyssinia are shown as distinct entities, Lake Nyasa is shown as Lac Marawi, and the Congo is located. The Dutch settlements of Castell Batov and Stellenbosch are shown at the Cape. The most striking feature of the map is the large title cartouche that is framed by elephant tusks and a horned serpent. In the foreground is a scene of natives negotiating with European traders, surrounded by indigenous animals. In the background is a view of Table Bay and Table Mountain. The cartouche on this example features no date, but other examples are dated 1737.

References: Norwich #83.

Condition: B

Full contemporary color in the map and later color in the decorative elements. There is some light toning and dampstaining in the image.