| Guilaume Delisle | |
|
Paris, 1700
|
 Map #AF-552 (1st
State)
Map #AF-553 |
This is a landmark map of Africa in its First State. This is the first map of Africa to show Africa without the two Nile River Ptolemaic-based source lakes. Delisle's last remaining major concession to Ptolemy is with the map's east to west flow of the Niger River into the Atlantic, though the Niger source lake, Lacus Niger in west central Africa, is not presented as on previous maps of Africa. The west to east Nubia River, also shown in previous maps flowing eastward into the Nile, ceases to exist on this map. Delisle also gives the correct longitude for the Mediterranean Sea of 42°, thus correcting the width of the northern shape of Africa. Delisle does show a vaguely engraved and unidentified lake, at about 5° S, not far inland from Zanzibar in East Africa with no rivers entering or exiting it. This lake is probably based on reports by traders of the inland lakes that, in fact, are in this part of Africa. It could represent any of the lakes in this region, or it could be an amalgam of Lakes Victoria, Malawi, and Tanganyika. Guilaume Delisle (1675-1726) (or De Lisle as his name sometimes appears in modern literature) is often referred to as the father of modern geography. He was elected a member of the Academie Royale des Sciences in 1702 and then was appointed "Premier geographe du Roi" in 1718. This map of Africa served as the model for European mapmakers and was frequently copied throughout the eighteenth century. It is noteworthy for its attention to a scientific approach in the preparation of the map. Delisle exercised care, wherever possible, in the inclusion only of verifiable information. The map was constantly being updated; thus there were a number of later states of this map quickly following on his original 1700 First State publication. There are five states of this map, with new geographic information and new publication addresses. Map #AF-553 is the fourth state. In this state immediately below the same title cartouche as the third state, the following is added: "se Trouve a Amsterdam chez L Renard Libraire Pres de la Bourse". Sometime after 1708 and before 1718+, the copperplate was evidently used by Louis Renard. In this state, the following imprint is lightly etched below the title cartouche: "se Trouve a Amsterdam chez L Renard Libraire Pres de la Bourse". This evidently refers to an agreement to allow Renard the right to sell the map on the Amsterdam market. Betz, Map #174. Norwich, Map #59 (fourth state). Tooley, 1969, p. 68-73. Both Fine Condition, with #AF-552 a bit water stained at top.
This map should be in any collection of maps that even has a
remote interest in the mapping of Africa. |
|
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