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Author: Blaeu, Willem
Title: Africae nova descriptio
Place Published: Amsterdam
Publisher:
Date Published: 1643-50
Description:

Copper-engraved map, hand-colored in outline, with hand-colored vignettes of native peoples on the sides, and of cities and of cities and forts at the top. 41x55 cm (16¼x21¾"), archivally matted & framed under UV protective glass.

One of the most decorative seventeenth century maps of the African continent and a superb example of the Dutch carte-a-figures style. The map is surrounded on three sides with vignettes of native peoples and nine principal cities. The Nile is shown according to Ptolemy with its sources arising in the lakes Zaire and Zaflan, the fictitious Lake Sachaf of Laurent Fries appears, as well as the R. de Spirito Santo. The map is embellished with numerous ships, sea monsters (including a great seahorse), a compass rose and exotic animals wandering all over the continent. The compass rose and four of the vignettes of natives with gold highlights. This is the third state of the map, with additional hatching around the sea monsters as a result of re-engraving due to the wear of the copperplate. German text on verso. Handsomely framed by Schein & Schein, San Francisco. Provenance: Barbara Keck, purchased from Hemispheres.

Due to the size and/or weight of this lot extra shipping charges may apply.

An exceptional example, fine or nearly so.