L'AFRIQUE

by Nicolas De Fer

 Published Paris 1717 by Guillaume Danet in De Fer's "Atlas Curieux".

An original and interesting early 18th century copper engraved antique map of Africa enhanced with attractive professionally applied later hand colouring. A scarce and desirable map, dated in the plate.

The title is displayed in a cartouche featuring lime kilns and a second cartouche displays a dedication to the Dauphin, surmounted by his Royal coat of arms.

An interesting annotation pays reference to Bartlomeo Diaz, the first European to round the Cape of Good Hope in 1486 and Vasco De Gama who first accessed India via that route in 1498. A further annotation above the equator offers an observation of the source of the Nile also known as the Abavi. 

Fine, clean condition other than a barely visible old repair to the lower left margin not affecting the printed area. Faint old fold lines as issued but long stored flat.

 Approx. 13.5" x 9" (345mm x 235mm) overall.

Nicolas De Fer (1646-1720) was a well known and influential French map maker based in Paris who inherited an already successful map business from his father Antoine De Fer in 1687. He published his first world atlas in 1697.

M9326