Nice example of de Fer's scarce map of North America, first published in Paris in 1693. This specimen with a 1705 date is from the 1723 edition of de Fer’s Petit et Nouveau Atlas and features later hand-coloring. The map provides an excellent depiction of the prevailing cartographic knowledge of North America at the end of the 17th Century. Shows precise depiction of the polar regions of Canada, an exaggerated but mostly accurate depiction of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region and simplified depiction of the Mississippi River, based upon the reports of explorers and French Jesuit missionaries in the second half of the 17th Century. California is shown as an island after the Sanson model. The mouth of the Mississippi is shown emanating from Texas (this is from La Salle's early reports). In the north, there is a vast region listed as "Cette Region est toue a suite Innonnue" (the whole of the region is unknown). California As An Island: The misconception of California as an island is found on European maps from the 16th through the 18th centuries. From its first portrayal on a printed map by Diego Gutiérrez, in 1562, California was shown as part of North America by mapmakers such as Gerardus Mercator and Abraham Ortelius. In the 1620s, though, it began to appear as an island. The first known maps to show California as an island were on the title pages of Antonio de Herrera’s Descripcion de las Indias Occidentales (1622) and Jacob le Maire's Spieghel Der Australische Navigatie (1622). The fantastical island of California became a fixture on mid- and late-17th century maps. The island suggested possible links to the Northwest Passage, with rivers in the North American interior supposedly connecting to the sea between California and the mainland. Francis Drake had landed in northern California on his circumnavigation (1577-80) and an insular California suggested that Spanish power in the area could be questioned. California as an island remained common on maps until the mid-18th century. Philippe Buache (Guillaume De L’Isle’s nephew) remained an adherent of the island depiction for some time. Another believer was Herman Moll, who reported that California was certainly an island--he knew of sailors who claimed to have circumnavigated it! In the face of such skepticism, the King of Spain, Ferdinand VII, had to issue a decree in 1747 proclaiming California to be a peninsula connected to North America. Very light water stain at upper right corner margin and a light water stain at bottom margin (neither will show when matted). 8 x 11.

Reserve: $650.00

Shipping:

Domestic: Flat-rate of $4.00 to anywhere within the contiguous U.S.

International: Foreign shipping rates are determined by destination.

Combined Shipping: Please ask about combined shipping for multiple lots before bidding.

Location: This item ships from Ohio.

Your purchase is protected:
Photos, descriptions, and estimates were prepared with the utmost care by a fully certified expert and appraiser. All items in this sale are guaranteed authentic.

In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Jasper52 specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided when you notify Jasper52 within 5 days of receiving the item.

Very good