AFRICA-CONTINENT ‘Carte d’Afrique […]’ [After DE L’ISLE-COVENS-MORTIER, c.1742]

Map of the African Continent. Beautiful map of the continent shown in detail, reflecting the geography of the region known during the mid-18th century. Throughout, the map notes several kingdoms and tribes. The map shows extensive detail along the coast, especially along the Mediterranean coast, northeast Africa and the western and southern areas of the continent as these regions were well explored at the time due to European interests. The interiors are relatively less detailed. Delisle map of 1722 was the first to correctly show the source of the Nile at Lake Tana (Dambea) rather than the earlier Ptolemaic concept. It also correctly shows the Senegal and Niger Rivers separated. The southern African gold mining regions of Monomotapa (supposed location of King Solomon’s mines) and Monoemugi are identified. The early mapping of Lake Malawi, which would officially be discovered only a hundred years later, is noted. A beautifully engraved title cartouche adorns the top left corner with another cartouche with an advertisement in the bottom left. Map is engraved by J. Kondet.

Engraving with hand colouring on hand laid (verge) paper.
Sheet size: 69 x 59 cm. Image size: 62 x 48,5 cm.

Rare ed. without the horizontal text above.

Anonymous.

Condition: Good, given age. Original folds as issued. Small hole at fold intersection, barely visible. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

Lade-groot-1779