Catalog Archive
Auction 202, Lot 158

German Edition of Catesby's Scarce and Important Map of the Southeastern United States

"Carolinae Floridae nec non Insularum Bahamensium cum Partibus Adjacendibus Delineatio ad Exemplar Londinense in Lucem Edita", Seligmann, Johann Michael

Subject: Colonial Southeastern United States, Bahamas & Greater Antilles

Period: 1755 (dated)

Publication: Die Natur Hist. Beschreibung von Carolina, Florida

Color: Hand Color

Size:
23 x 17 inches
58.4 x 43.2 cm
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This handsome map extends to include the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and the Yucatan. The map is from the German edition of Mark Catesby's Natural History of Carolina, a seminal work on American flora and fauna. The map depicts the southeastern United States as far west as the Mississippi River and is colored to show the British Colonies in pink, French possessions in green and the regions controlled by Spain in yellow. Catesby drew on several important maps for the content, including the manuscript of Captain John Barnwell (1722) that incorporates several details not found on earlier printed maps. He also used Popple's great 20-sheet map as seen by the river configuration in Georgia and the dotted trail connecting Fort Argyle to Combahee River.

References: Cumming (SE) #292; cf. Schwartz & Ehrenberg pp. 151-152.

Condition: B

Contemporary color on a sheet with a coat of arms watermark. Issued folding and now flat and fully backed in tissue. There are professional repairs to three tears that extend out from Cuba measuring approximately 4", 8.25" and 8.5" as well as a 5" tear at top. Light soiling.

Estimate: $3,250 - $4,000

Sold for: $2,400

Closed on 2/12/2025

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