Map Americas (13 results)

Maps. Condition: Good. 85 x 116 cm. Mounted on muslin, wood rods top and bottom. Chipping along top margin close to rod. Note: This is a large, heavy map. Additional postage will apply depending on delivery location.

A large map of the Americas also showing the coastline of Europe and Africa in the east and the Sandwich Isles in the west. Shipping times between European cities and various North and South American cities listed. Published by George Philip & Son in Liverpool. Copper engraving. Fine condition Original colour and some additional later hand colouring. Size: 61 x 50 cm. (24 x 19½ inches).

"[Nova et accurata totius Americae tabula auct. G. I. Blaeu] America quarta pars orbis quam plerunq, nuvum orbem apellitant primo detecta est anno 1492 a Christophoro Columbo []. A hand-coloured engraved wall map, printed on 4 joined sheets. Size: 86 x 110 cm. / 33.9 x 43,3 inch. Large, very rare, hand coloured copy of Willem Blaeu's famous wall map of the Americas, which is considered "one of the most influential maps of America ever made" (Burden). The map is based on the latest explorations and shows everything known at the time about the American continent, as well as the north and south poles, which are included on two inset maps. As the wall map was in great demand, but expensive and difficult to transport, it was also printed by various French and Italian publishers for the local market. Like Blaeu's edition, the French and Italian editions are very scarce, as it is highly unusual for wall maps from this period to survive. We have only been able to trace 4 other copies of the present edition in sales records of the past hundred years, of which only 1 is also hand coloured. Willem Janszoon Blaeu (1571-1638) first published the wall map in 1608, together with similar maps of Asia, Africa, and Europe. He spared no expenses for this project and hired Hessel Gerritsz (1580-1632), a great cartographer in his own right, to both design the maps and research the latest sources exhaustively, to create the most accurate depiction of the continents possible. Although the Americas were drawn too wide due to the inadequate methods of determining longitude at the time, the shapes and most of the coastline are already very well defined. Central and South America were drawn according to Portuguese and Spanish sources, and "Nova Scotia" on the Atlantic coast was based on the voyages of Samuel de Champlain and Pierre Gua de Monts from 1604. After the first edition in 1608, the four continents were subsequently published in 1612, and in 1624 they were reissued by Hendrik Hondius and in 1655 by Nicholas Visscher. The third state included changes to the Strait of Magellan based on Le Maire's findings from his expedition in 1615-1617. The map has been beautifully decorated with cartouches and small engravings. The cartouche in the lower right tells how the New World was discovered, and is flanked by the figures of Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci. Below are four roundels containing the portraits of the four circumnavigators: Ferdinand Magellan, Sir Francis Drake, Sir Thomas Cavendish, and Olivier Van Noort. The Atlantic features a beautiful depiction of King Philip III of Spain riding a sea chariot, supposedly on a figurative visit to his New World possessions, and in the Pacific Poseidon with his wife Amphitrite and son Triton can be found, amidst battle ships and sea monsters. Elephants, rhinoceroses, camels, and ostriches roam the continent. Some copies of the present map include a decorative border with illustrations of native people, and sometimes also a textual border with descriptions, which are not present here. It appears that these borders were engraved on separate copper plates and were not always included. Blaeu's wall maps were first printed in Italy in 1646, probably by Stefano Mozzi Scolari (1598-1650) in Venice, which were based on the third state from 1624. The present copy was engraved by Pietro Todeschi (dates unknown) around 1670, and published in Bologna in 1673, probably by Giuseppe Longhi, who had worked on similar projects with Todeschi before. It closely resembles the Venetian edition, which was most likely used as the model. Todeschi's edition is, however, clearly recognizable because of the misspelling of Mar del Norte as Mar del Noi, and the fact that California has been drawn as an island. It is the only edition known to do so. The map has been reinforced on the back, and is somewhat browned and stained; the surface has faded, the work has been professionally restored: the colouring has been retouched, some of the losses have been filled in. Otherwise, in good condition. Burden II, 433; Schilder, Monumenta cartographica Neerlandica V, p. 195; cf. Burden I, 156 (Blaeu map).".

A very attractive, late 17th century map of the Americas, with California as an island. The map is derived directly from de Wit's c.1675 map. Five Great Lakes are shown and named, although Lakes Michigan and Superior are left open to the west. Burden, The Mapping of North America II: 725, State 2. McLaughlin, The Mapping of California as an Island: 123. Outline color and partially colored cartouche. Laid down on archival tissue curing minor chipping in the margins and a few small holes. Light staining at upper and lower right; errant traces of red ink/paint to the left of Cape Verde. Not perfect, but a very presentable example. 19 1/2 x 23.".

Very good. Original centerfold. Size 12.5 x 16.25 Inches. This is Karl von Spruner's 1855 map of North and South America 'up to 1776,' including Greenland to the North, Tierra Del Fuego and Falkland Islands to the south, and the British Isles and Scandinavia in the upper right quadrant. The map shows locations of indigenous groups and color-coded European possessions, and a largely blank western North America, except for rivers. Two other important exclusions make the map even more interesting: neither the name of the US nor its political boundaries are shown. Compare to 'America seit 1776' ('America since 1776'), with which this would make a nice companion piece. Relief is shown by hachures, and the finely engraved detail throughout exhibits the exquisite craftsmanship for which the Perthes firm is best known. Justus Perthes published the map as plate number 16 in Dr. Karl von Spruner's 1855 Historisch-Geographischer Hand-Atlas zur Geschichte Asiens, Africa's, America's und Australiens , also known as Histor. Atlas. Ausser Europa . References: Phillips (atlases) 151.

Good. Some foxing, especially in margins. Size 12.5 x 16.5 Inches. This is an attractive hand-colored 1849 map of the major river basins in North and South America made for Berghaus' Physikalischer Atlas , a landmark achievement in German cartography, published by Justus Perthes. As with the atlas as a whole, it shows great attention to detail and the concise presentation of scientific data. Golden Age of Canalas A note at top-right points out that, as with the previous map in the series on Hydrography ('Asia-Europa; in Beziehung auf das Fliessende, und seine Vertheilung in Stromgebiete'), canals are marked by a thick black line. This map dates from the 'golden age' of canal building in the United States, after the success of the Erie Canal (opened 1825) but before railroads became a widespread, faster alternative (even though many railroads were initially built to supplement rather than replace canals). Several canal systems of the northeastern United States are indicated, including the Ohio Canal, Erie Canal (here as 'Gr. Canal,' presumably Große), the Connecticut Canal (also known as the Farmington Canal, the New Haven and Northampton Canal, and the Hampshire and Hampden Canal), and the Champlain Canal, indicated by a line but not named. Some of the canal lines shown here are fictious, such as a cluster near the Florida Panhandle, likely the result of limited or inaccurate information reaching Berghaus. A Closer Look At top-left, a legend denotes colors used to show which rivers flow into which oceans and seas. A table at bottom lists the lengths of the world's major rivers. The numbers written within the various river basin areas on the map are most likely the area of those river basins, in German miles. It is worth pointing out that German miles were more than four times longer than English miles (24,000 German feet versus 5,000 English feet). Publication History and Census This map was included in the 2nd Division (Abtheilung), No. 8 'Hydrology' of Berghaus' Physikalischer Atlas , published by Justus Perthes. It was drawn at the Geographische Kunstschule in Potsdam (which Berghaus had founded) and published in Gotha. Berghaus' Physikalischer Atlas was initially published as an addendum to Alexander von Humboldt's extremely popular and influential book Kosmos , which incidentally was strongly influenced by his travels in the Americas. With the publicity attracted by its association with Humboldt, Berghaus' atlas quickly became well-known and regarded as a triumph in its thorough research, coverage of a wide range of subjects, and clever methods for presenting data. This map is only cataloged as belonging to the holdings of a small handful of libraries in Germany and it is scarce to the market. References: Rumsey 2515.019. OCLC 1262656781, 165436695.

Very good. Even overall toning. Light foxing. Blank on verso. Size 15.5 x 14 Inches. This is an 1857 J. H. Colton map of the Western Hemisphere. Offering a fascinating snapshot of the world during a period of rapid globalization and discovery, this map depicts North America, South America and most of Polynesia. Antarctica is only tenuously illustrated, reflecting the primitive state of exploration in the region. This map also identifies various cities, towns, rivers, rapids, mountain passes and an assortment of additional topographical details. Map is hand colored in pink, green, yellow and blue pastels to define national and regional boundaries. The whole is surrounded by Colton's typical spiral motif border. Dated and copyrighted to J. H. Colton, 1855. Published from Colton's 172 William Street Office in New York City. Issued as page no. X in volume 2 of Colton's 1857 Atlas of the World. References: Rumsey 0149.007 (1856 edition). Phillips (Atlases) 816.

Very good. Light creasing along fold line and other minor, scattered imperfections. Size 16.75 x 20.75 Inches. An informative c. 1827 map of the Americas that appeared in Matthew Carey and Isaac Lea's A Complete Historical, Chronological, And Geographical American Atlas . Among other features, it reflects territorial disputes that emerged in the wake of independence movements throughout the hemisphere. A Closer Look Two hand-colored maps, of North and South America, respectively, appear side-by-side. The new nations of the Americas are denoted, though in some cases with borders quite different from their eventual ones. Prominently, at left, the border of the United States along the Pacific Ocean extends to the 54th parallel, a maximalist claim that contrasted with Great Britain's own claim to territory down to the Columbia River, a dispute only settled with the 1846 Oregon Treaty. U.S. states and territories are numbered corresponding to an index at bottom-left, with large Missouri and 'Arkansa' Territories notable. Erroneous rivers and lakes (Buenaventura and Timpanogos) extending from the Rockies to the Pacific are maintained, reflecting the limited knowledge of the western half of the continent. In South America, the contingent nature of newly independent confederations and states is evident in the still-unified Gran Colombia, the undetermined border between Peru and Brazil, and the large United Provinces (of the Rio de la Plata). This latter state was, like many of its neighbors, based on pre-independence viceroyalties and captaincies. Here it retains the region around the Desert of Atacama, especially important for providing access to the Pacific Ocean from the silver mines at Potosi. Territorial disputes over Atacama and other regions persisted throughout the 19th century in South America and led to several wars between neighboring states. Also noteworthy here is a unified 'Hayti,' demonstrating the annexation of the Spanish portion of the island by the namesake republic in 1822. Text surrounding the maps provides information on the geography, borders, climate, populations, and history (focusing on the Age of Discovery and especially Christopher Columbus) of the countries of the Americas. Longitude is measured from both London and Washington, D.C. Given the distinctive layout of the maps in Carey and Lea's atlas, the platemark from the map plate can be seen clearly in the surrounding text portions. Publication History and Census This map appeared in the 1827 edition of Matthew Carey and Isaac Lea's A Complete Historical, Chronological, And Geographical American Atlas . It was drawn by James Finlayson and engraved by James H. Young and George Delleker. The only known distinct cataloging of the 1827 edition of the map in institutional holdings is with the Newberry Library, while the entire 1827 edition of the Carey and Lea atlas is more widely distributed in institutional collections. References: OCLC 957781107.

Very good. Light wear along original centerfold. Size 12.25 x 17.5 Inches. This is a 1793 Russian-language map of the Americas produced for the 'New Atlas' ( Novyy Atlas / ????? ?????), an important work that made the latest French cartography available to a Russian audience. A Closer Look This fascinating map covers the Americas in their entirety, along with much of the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and a portion of Africa. The boundaries of countries, colonies, and Spanish colonial provinces are traced in outline color, while territories, geographic regions, mountains, lakes, rivers, islands, large cities, and other features are labeled throughout. This map is based on the 1783 edition of Jean Janvier's map 'L'Amerique divisée par grands etats,' which differed considerably from earlier editions in eliminating cartographic myths (such as a huge 'Sea of the West' in western North America) and updating the geography of the west coast of the Americas and islands in the Pacific (including New Zealand / ????? ????????), incorporating the findings of Cook's voyages, including his then still-recent third voyage of 1776 - 1780. Historical Context Among the maps in the New Atlas , the present map is particularly interesting as it coincided with the beginnings of a sizable Russian presence in Alaska. From the 1740s, smaller groups of promyshlenniki (?????????????, frontier trapper-traders) began to arrive in the Aleutian Islands, and by the end of the century began forming into larger corporations, especially the Shelikhov-Golikov Company (founded 1783), which was the basis for the later state-chartered monopoly (Russia's first joint-stock company), the Russian-American Company, founded 1799. The move into the Aleutians and the Alaskan mainland was followed by tentative posts further south in the following decades, including trading posts in today's Sonoma County, California, and on Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands (Sandwich Islands / ??????? ?????????? here, with a note marking them as the site of Captain Cook's death). An agent of the Russian-American Company named Georg Anton Schäffer (1779 - 1836) even attempted to hatch a conspiracy to overthrow the Hawaiian monarchy and seize the Hawaiian Islands for Russia in 1815, unbeknownst to the company's leadership. This plot failed and cost the company a small fortune in losses when Schäffer had to flee (he was later more successful recruiting Germans to settle in Brazil). In this context, the present map would have been an important source of information for any traders or imperial officials with dreams of a Russian Pacific empire. Publication History and Census This map appeared as Plate No. 48 in the New Atlas or Collection of Maps of all Parts of the Globe (????? ????? ??? ???????? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ????), subtitled 'taken from various writers and printed in St. Petersburg for the use of Youth in 1793 at the Mining School'. Most of the maps in the Novyy Atlas were derived from those from Rigobert Bonne / Jene Lattré's Atlas Moderne , and this map fits the model, being based on Jean Janvier's map L'Amerique Divisée par Grands Etats that appeared in the 1783 issue of Lattré's atlas ( c.f. America-lattre-1783). Neither this map nor the Novyy Atlas are cataloged among the holdings of any institutions outside of Russia and individual maps from the atlas are scarce to the market.

Very good. Dissected and mounted on linen as issued. Accompanied by original slipcase. Size 30.75 x 37.25 Inches. This is Franz Fried's scarce 1818 folding map of the Americas, published by Artaria of Vienna. The map is significant for capturing the fast-paced political changes sweeping the continent in the wake of the Napoleonic Wars (1803 - 1815) and the breakdown of Spanish hegemony in Latin America. A Closer Look This beautifully engraved map covers the Americas, noting settlements, Native American groups, and topographic features throughout. It is similarly fastidious in mapping the islands of the Pacific and including portions of Asia, Europe, and Africa along the edges; although this really was not necessary for the map, it does help situate the Americas in the global context (with an interesting projection reflecting the curvature of the Earth, perhaps the result of Humbolt's astronomical observations referenced in the title). The map is notable for incorporating both up-to-date geographic knowledge (i.e. along the western coast of North America and in Oceania) and evolving boundaries in the newly independent states of the Americas. Both independent states and colonies are traced in color according to the legend at bottom-right. The meandering border between the United States and British colonies to its north (i.e. Canada) is particularly unusual. The western and northern portions of North America are unsurprisingly blank in places, or otherwise noted with non-committal phrases like 'pays inconnus' or 'Indiens,' given the imperfect information available about these areas. It is noteworthy that the map is in French and uses Paris as a Prime Meridian despite its maker being Austrian. This could be a reflection of the continued prestige of French sciences and cartography in the aftermath of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, and probably also is a product of the cosmopolitanism environment of Vienna (the map's publisher was an Italian-origin family known for publishing Mozart and Hayden). Fried did produce other maps in French, but by the mid-1820s all of his work was in German, save for updated editions of his earlier French maps. The Dissolution of Spain's American Empire This map was prepared as Spain's American empire was collapsing, in large part as a result of the Napoleonic Wars and the French occupation of much of Spain. As elsewhere in the Atlantic World, the ideas of the Enlightenment also laid the groundwork for a desire for new political arrangements. The 1810s were especially chaotic, as Creole elites such as Simon Bolivar (1783 - 1830) soured on the old country and aimed to declare independence. Spain counter-attacked when it could, often winning back territory, if only temporarily, which helps explain the unusual borders and toponyms in South America. Publication History and Census This map was prepared by Franz Fried and published by Artaria in Vienna in 1818. The 'No. 1' at top-left and a similar notation, 'No. II' partially cut off, refer to the four sheets on which the map was initially printed before being mounted on linen (areas of slight misalignment indicate where these sheets meet). This map is quite rare, only being noted among the holdings of the National Library of Australia and with no known market history, while the British Library holds a later map of the same title, subtitled 'corrige?e 1841,' likely a later edition. References: OCLC 224206718.

By: Jan Jansson Date: 1623 (Published) Frankfurt Dimensions: 16 x 21.75 inches (40.6 cm x 55.2 cm) This rare map is the third state of a fascinating map by Jan Jansson, which was modeled according to an earlier map created by his brother-in-law, Jodocus Hondius. The chip at the top right corner identifies the map as the third state. This rendering of the Americas clearly illustrates how much exploration had taken place from the time Ortelius created his famous map in 1570. In this new version Jansson richly details the lands of both continents with known ports, missions, towns, mountains, lakes and navigable rivers. Though the shape of North America's east coast is inaccurate, it is rich with Indian names, and is rendered in detail with place names, rivers and lakes, with dangerous shoals just off the coast also included. Mountains somewhat inland may represent knowledge of the Appalachians, while other mountain ranges are probably based on undocumented reports. An elongated west coast is detailed with many place names, and California is represented as a peninsula. Jansson charts the farthest northern reaches of North America as an unknown space, and following the conventions of the time, places a large inset map of the known areas of the Arctic to cover the blank space. Central and South America are rendered in great detail, in places surprisingly accurately, while in other places the information is obviously based on hearsay and legend. The famed mythical El Dorado is alluded to by Lake Parime, which, according to Sir Walter Raleigh, was located near the lake. Many geographical features are quite accurately depicted, including the Andes Mountains and the Amazon River. Interesting miniatures describe traditions of indigenous peoples of South America, along with a rendering of a meeting between Europeans and a local potentate. Jansson's map is decorated with an ornate border on both sides and along the top with vignettes depicting many of the indigenous peoples found in both continents, and bird's-eye views of major settlements in the Americas. The artist's renderings of the native peoples of the Americas represent a wide variety of the many tribes encountered by the Europeans, from fur-clad Greenlanders to the King and Queen of Florida; the King of New England and the natives of the Straits of Magellan. A complementary inset of the Antarctic appears at the bottom of the map. Fanciful monsters frolic in the oceans' waters and stately frigates abound. Condition: This map is in C+ condition. Extensive centerfold extension nearly divided the map in two has been professionally repaired on the verso, along with a few other minor edge tears. Some faint soiling mostly limited to the edges.Inventory #108451200 W. 35th Street #425 Chicago, IL 60609 | P: (312) 496 - 3622.

Average. Overall toning, acid damage, and brittleness. Stabilized on archival tissue. Some staining. Pen and Ink manuscript. Size 32 x 25.25 Inches. An intriguing c. 1880 Greek manuscript map of the Americas produced by one Sotirias Iliadou, who possibly was a schoolchild, though the level of skill and precision displayed would suggest an older student in their teenage years or young adulthood. It is the only example of the 'Schoolgirl Map' genre we've identified in Greek. A Closer Look Covering North, Central, and South America in their entirety, the map notes international boundaries, physical features such as rivers and mountains, and cities. Individual U.S. states are also labeled, and their borders outlined. Almost inevitably for a work of cartographic translation, some oddities appear, including a city called Arizona (???????) in the southwestern part of that state and the appearance of the Great Salt Lake in Nevada instead of Utah. The border between Washington and Oregon continues to follow the Columbia River inland, rather than running along the 46th parallel in the east. The names of some states appear to have been entirely lost in translation (for example, Michigan as 'Tani' ????). The Transcontinental Railroad cuts prominently across the U.S. The Panama Canal (? ??????) is noted; that is, the abortive French attempt in the 1880s involving Ferdinand de Lesseps (builder of the Suez Canal). An impressive level of attention is devoted to the labeling of rivers in Canada and rivers and mountains in South America. It is likely that this work was produced by a young woman using an atlas map in translation. We have been unable to identify the source map although it is likely a German map from one of the Justus Perthes atlases - which would have been readily available in Greece. Publication History and Census This manuscript map was drawn by one Sotirias Iliadou (??????? ???????), seemingly the feminine form of the name. It is reminiscent of 'schoolgirl maps' that were a common pedagogical tool in the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, the delicacy and attention to detail displayed here suggest a work by an older child, or perhaps beyond their school years. Given the limited educational opportunities available, especially to women, in Greece at the time, it is also very possible that this work was undertaken outside the context of the formal educational system (only a small number of schools, such as the American missionary-run Hill School in Athens, offered formal education to girls). As a manuscript map it is an entirely unique work.

Very good. Folds as issued. Four panels, joined by publisher. Very clean with a strong dark impression. Size 31 x 56 Inches. One of the most spectacularly decorative maps of the 18th century, this is Henri Chatelain's magnificent 1719 map of the Americas and the Pacific. This sumptuously engraved map is centered on the American continent but extends west to include all of the Pacific as far as Beijing (Peking), China and Australia, and eastward to include much of Europe and the western half of Africa. Longitudinally it extends from the Hudson Bay to the southern tip of Tierra del Fuego. The map is graphically rich with a wealth of lush inset maps and vignette illustrations throughout. The whole is further embellished with copious annotations offering Chatelain's insights on local traditions, flora and fauna, political commentary, and notes on trade. A Closer Look Cartographically, Chatelain based this map heavily on De Fer's map of 1713. There is much of interest throughout. This map was issued just as the world was being opened to international commerce and Chatelain has much to say on the subject. Chatelain doubtless imagined himself on the cusp of an age of discovery and exploration unlike any before imagined - and he was right! Still, one cannot ignore his hopeful thinking. Here both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans are remarkably foreshortened, suggesting that passage and trade between these widely divided continents to be a matter of ease. The routes of the many explorers who made these passages are noted with their ships illustrated. These include Columbus, Vespucci, Magellan, Drake, Schouten, La Salle, and Dampier, among others, all of whom are further lionized by a serious of medallions filing the unexplored northwestern quadrants of America. Vignette Work The elaborate decorative vignette work, too, contributes to Chatelain's message. In North America he borrows from Herman Moll to illustrate the American fur trade (with a backdrop of Niagara Falls) and the seemingly boundless cod fisheries off the Grand Banks. The even more elaborate illustrations in the southern quadrants are equally suggestive of the wealth to be had by venturing not just to the Americas but into the Pacific and thence to Asia. The vignettes include illustrations of tribal life, rich mines, overflowing hunting grounds, native industry (such as the grinding of manioc), and of course whaling. Among this rich imagery are smaller maps and plans detailing the Spice Islands (Moluques), the apparently easily traversable Isthmus of Panama, and the port of Acapulco in Mexico from which the Spanish galleons set sail for Manila, as well as the bustling ports of Baldavia, Veracruz, Conception, Buenos Aires, Havana, and San Sabastian, among others. Among these, of course, we cannot ignore the many dangers illustrated in the form of vicious animals, unfriendly indigenous populations, and one particularly grizzly image of human sacrifice before a stylized Aztec pyramid. Insular California This is importantly one of the first maps to bring into question the popular convention of rendering California as an island. While California is here presented roughly on the Luke Foxe model popularized by Nicholas Sanson in 1657, one notes that the northern portions of the island are ghosted in an expression of uncertainty. Around this time, word of the Jesuit missionary Eusebio Kino's discoveries in and around Baja were beginning to circulate in learned circles. Although the myth of an insular California was slow to disappear, Chatelain here notes Que Quelques Modernes Croyent être attache au continent de l'Amérique par la Partie Septent. What some moderns believe to be attached to the continent of America by the northern part. Pacific and Australia Chatelain's rendering of the Pacific is of considerable interest. The wildly overlarge mapping of the Solomon Islands, referencing the navigations of Mendana and Quiros, stand out. Australia itself, appearing here as Nouvelle Ho.