Scarce and detailed 1818 American engraved map of South America, published in Boston by Cummings & Hilliard and engraved by W. B. Annin, an early American engraver active in Boston.

Simply titled “SOUTH AMERICA,” this attractive early 19th-century map provides a remarkably detailed view of the continent at an important period in its history, when many South American territories were in the midst of their struggles for independence from European colonial rule.

The map is filled with an extraordinary amount of geographical information, identifying early cities, settlements, missions, rivers, mountain ranges, native regions, political divisions, islands, capes and ports. The enormous Amazon and Orinoco river systems dominate the northern interior, with numerous tributaries carefully delineated. Particularly interesting are references to Spanish Missions and Portuguese Missions, along with numerous indigenous regional and tribal names.

The western portion beautifully illustrates the immense Andes mountain chain, extending nearly the entire length of the continent through present-day Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile. Numerous important early cities and settlements are identified, including Quito, Lima, Cuzco, La Paz, Potosi, Santiago, Valparaiso, Mendoza, Buenos Aires, Monte Video and Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil is especially detailed, with numerous early colonial provinces, rivers, settlements and coastal locations shown. The interior contains extensive river networks and regions including Amazonia, Para, Goyaz, Minas Geraes and others, providing a fascinating picture of European geographical knowledge of Brazil in the early 1800s.

Farther south are Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, the Strait of Magellan, Cape Horn and the Falkland Islands, together with numerous bays, capes and early coastal place names. The map also extends northward to Panama, the Caribbean coast and several islands of the Lesser Antilles.

Especially attractive is the original period hand coloring, primarily in shades of green, used to emphasize coastlines and regional boundaries. The coloring is old and original to the map and gives the engraving wonderful antique character.

Condition: This is an authentic antique map more than 200 years old and shows appropriate signs of age. There is overall toning, light offsetting and scattered small stains/foxing, as visible in the photographs. The original centerfold has been reinforced/backed on the reverse with old paper. There is additional age-related wear and discoloration toward the margins. Please study all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

Despite its age and condition issues, the engraved geographical detail remains strong and the original hand coloring has considerable historical visual appeal.

A scarce early American-published map of South America, particularly desirable for collectors of early American cartography, Latin America, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, the Amazon, Patagonia and South American exploration.

Date: 1818

Title: South America

Published: Boston, Cummings & Hilliard

Engraver: W. B. Annin

Medium: Engraved map on paper

Color: Original period hand coloring

Condition: Light typical age toning, light to moderate offsetting, scattered staining and age wear; centerfold backed/reinforced with old paper. See photographs. Map shows age but remains worthy of a collection based on the date, location of production and scarcity.

Guaranteed original 1818 antique engraving -- not a reproduction.

Sheet Measures c. 11 3/4" H x 9 3/8” W.

Engraved Area Measures c. 10 1/2” H x 7 7/8”W.

Cartographic Reference(s):

Tooley's Dictionary of Mapmakers, vol. 1.

R36775