Samson

1656 · B2984 — Paris: Nicolas Sanson c. 1656. Lower right corner of the first eight leaves strengthened otherwise a very good copy maps and text are clean and crisp. In protective cloth slipcase. Edition: First edition. Binding: Full contemporary calf expertly rebacked with spine in six compartments of raised bands and finely-gilt motifs morocco label on two edges speckled red. Notes: This atlas was dedicated to the Superintendent of Finances at the time Nicolas Fouquet. <br>Regarding a map of South and Central Africa published the year before which bears resemblance to this map of South Africa--‘Pays et Costes des Caffres’--in particular Norwich writes: “This map although a fine example of cartography is based on very little information; for example the desert-like coast of South West Africa is presented as a land rich in rivers. The fictitious states are given fictitious boundaries and the interior is marked with large cities such as Vigiti Magna and Monomotapa. This information led to subsequent exploration in search of these fabulous cities. Although the map is dated three years after the foundation of a settlement at the Cape by Jan van Riebeeck no mention is made of any European settlement anywhere in the south.†Size: 4to Illustration: Recent stencilled title. Complete with 18 maps of Africa and its territories in original outline colour. References: Tooley IV:103; Tooley Africa 100 Peyrounin edition; Norwich 37 & 158. Pages: P. 1-96. Category: Book Africa General; Book Atlas & Cartography Nicolas Sanson hardcover