AFRICA and its several REGIONS and ISLANDS...

Description

Copper engraving with wash and outline (water)colour.

Published by Laurie & Whittle, 53, Fleet Street, London, 12th May 1812, as part of "A New and Elegant Imperial Sheet Atlas".

Image size: 460 x 575mm - 18 1/2 x 22 5/8"

Sheet size: 528 x 720 - 20 3/4 x 28 3/8"

In good to very good condition; a little toning, but nothing more than is commensurate with age. Colour strong.

A scarce, attractive and equally informative map of Africa, sub-titled 'according to the most recent Descriptions'. The outline of the continent is relatively accurate, though most of the detail is confined to the coastline; the interior mainly anecdotal or speculative: near the Equator is Baki Bakee whose inhabitants are described as a'Dwarfish Breed who hunt elephants'. Shows 'the sources of the Nile'; off the coast of Senegal, Massacoi or Farulo - 'Supposed to be the Ancient Gorgon where dwelt Medusa and her two sisters'; and in the south-east, 'Munhay Zimbaoe', i.e., Great Zimbabwe, 'Where court is kept'.