Scarce 8th state of Du Val’s uncommon map of the Americas

Description

This map of the Western Hemisphere by Pierre du Val was published in Paris, in 1676. It was first issued in 1655, then underwent numerous revisions throughout its publication history until 1684, the year following Du Val’s death. It is largely based on the maps of Nicolas Sanson, Du Val’s uncle.

The map displays the following notable features:

• To the northwest of North America, a large Terre de Iesso, annotated in French as extending “as far as Asia”, is depicted – a likely misinterpretation of Dutch explorer De Vries’ account of Hokkaido, then named Ezo.
• The coastline of northwest North America is not yet defined.
• The semi-mythical Strait of Anián (Destroit d' Anien) appears, along with a corresponding annotation in French, alluding to possibility of a northwest passage.
• California is shown as an island.
• The Great Lakes are starting to take shape, with Lake Superior and Lake Michigan still open-ended to the west.
• Numerous Native North American peoples are named throughout, including Apache, Iroquois, and Navajo.
• A number of colonial settlements appear along the eastern coastline of North America, including London al: Boston (Boston), N[ouveau]. Amsterdam, al: Manhate (New York, Manhattan), [Fort] Christina (Wilmington, DE), and Iamestoun (Jamestown).
• In South America, two of the presumed gateways to El Dorado feature – Lake Parime (L[ac]. de Parime) in the north and Lake Xarayes, also known as Lake Eupana (Lac de Xarayes ou Eupana), in the centre.
• The names of several Native South American peoples appear, including Charca (Charcas), Diaguita (Diaguitas), and Toba (Tobares).
• The westernmost coasts of Europe and Africa are depicted.
• A small part of the presumed “Great Southern Land” is shown (Partie de la grande Terre Australe).
• The prime meridian goes through El Hierro (Ferro).

Across the map, relief, vegetation, and settlements are depicted pictorially.

Above the decorative title cartouche at bottom left, the map features a second, smaller cartouche, which holds the legend. The key defines symbols for archbishoprics, bishoprics, and seaports, as well as abbreviations for capes and rivers. The cartouche is embellished with an indigenous person holding a bow and having what appears to be an alligator at his feet.

This is the scarce eighth state of this map, dated 1676 and featuring the embellished second cartouche but no longer holding the compass rose in the North Atlantic.

A beautiful example of this Western Hemisphere map, in a version not often seen on the market.

Condition

Very good.

Printed on watermarked paper. Issued folding, with wide margins. Early colouring in outline. Overall, clean sheet, with light, even toning, stronger along edges. Faint dampstains towards corners at top edge. A crease to the right of centrefold, in lower half. A few minor tears along bottom edge. Tear in bottom left corner, repaired with old paper on verso. Two tiny pinholes in bottom margin.

Reference

Burden #311

Item #: 02880

US $1,800.00

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