1733 A Map of North America With the European Settlements...
A Map of North America With the European Settlements & whatever else is remarkable in ye West Indies from the latest and best Observations
By: Richard William Seale
Date: 1733 (published) London
Dimensions: 14.75 x 18.25 inches (37.5 x 46.5 cm)
This intriguing map is one of the last maps of North America in which California is depicted as an island. This feature is one of a number of cartographic myths filling the map, with some details from the romantic tales spun by Baron Lahontan concerning his 1688-1690 travels west of the upper Mississippi represented in places. While Seale notes the straits of Anian, most of the northwest of the continent contains little detail, and is marked as Parts Unknown.
The charting of the Mississippi River and its tributaries is highly detailed, and a number of Indian settlements are to be found in the area. Indeed, myriad towns of American Indigenous peoples are to be found throughout the map. The trade winds are designated by shading with directional arrows showing their course. The homeward course of the Spanish Armada is indicated and sea routes used by Spanish galleons in route to the New World are marked on the map.
Condition: Map is in B condition with multiple small pinholes and a lower centerfold separation which have been closed up with archival backing on the verso. None of these flaws distract from the overall eye appeal and are mostly noticeable when the map is held up to a light. An otherwise strong impression on clean paper with enough margin on all sides for framing.
Inventory #11593
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