This
large and scarce beautifully
hand coloured original antique map of America, depicting
California as an Island, was published by Gerard Valck
in
ca
1700.
This map has undergone some professional restoration
which has not detracted from the visual appeal of the
map. Please see description below.
Background:
Valck's map of America illustrates many of the myths of
cartographic America in the 17th Century. California is
shown as an island based on the second Sanson Model. A
massive land bridge extends from just west of Capo
Blanco on the northern California coastline to Niphon, a
curious adaptation of the legend of Compagnie Land
(shown here as a place name -- Terre de la Compagne) and
the continuous land bridge from America to Asia,
although adding the Detroit de Tzungaar (Strait of
Tzungaar), a very rarely mentioned mythical Strait
between two islands of Japan.
The Great Lakes are oddly configured, with Lake Superior
and Lake Michigan open ended to the West. The
Mississippi River is very ill conceived, pre-dating the
radical improvements which would come with Guilluame De
L'Isle's map of North America of 1700 and Carte du
Mexique of 1703.
Many of the facts of
America depicted in this map Valk derives directly from
Alexis-Hubert Jaillot in the late 17th century.
Interestingly in transferring FLORIDE FRANÇOISE
from Jaillot the engraver managed to come up with
Floroi de Fran. It appears the remainder of
Françoise was erased whilst arranging the border.
No attempt is made to update the cartography, none of
the more recent English colonies is present, not even
Pennsylvania, arguably the one with the most exposure
throughout the continent of Europe. A second title is
engraved across the top of the map detailing further the
various territories. The imprint and a total of eight
different scales are decorated by a trading scene with
natives who appear more Asian than American Indian. It
is more accurately rendered in the similar scene lower
right.
(Ref: Burden; Tooley; M&B)
General Description:
Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy and stable
Paper color: - off white
Age of map color: - Original
Colors used: - Yellow, green, pink, blue.
General color appearance: - Authentic
Papaer size: - 24in x 20in (610mm x 510mm)
Plate size: - 23 1/4in x 19 1/4in (590mm x 490mm)
Margins: - Min 1/2in (10mm)
Imperfections:
Margins: - Bottom left corner professionally restored
Plate area: - Bottom right cartouche professionally
restored, small area of US professionally restored
Verso: - Map backed with light Japanese tissue
If you wish to discuss this or any other item
please email or call - good luck, Simon.
Classical Images
61 (0) 409 551910 Tel
simon@classicalimages.com
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