“NOVA ORBIS SIVE AMERICA...” Seutter. Augsburg: T. C. Lotter, c. 1760. Engraved map with original hand-coloring.(Image: 7 ¾ x 10 1/8’’) Reference McLaughlin, Mappingof California as an Island, #221, state 3.
This is the reduced edition after Seutter’s map of the Americas. The delineation of California as an island is based on the second Sanson model, showing two bays on the north end of the island. The island is also very narrow in the center, almost becoming two islands which was a theory proposed by Father Luis Velarde. (Following Henry Briggs map of North America, published in England, in which California appeared as an island, it became an accepted geographical misconception continuing well into the 18th century. After Father Consag sailed completely around the Gulf of California in 1746, Ferdinand VII followed with a royal decree stating: “California is not an island”).
The map is densely covered with place names, and the northern extremes are strangely elongated. The large title cartouche, surrounded by Native Americans and birds conveniently obscures the northwest coast with the exception of a portion of the Terra Esonis incogn.
Also of note are The Great Lakes, which appear in uncommon form, and the mythical “Great Lake” which appears in the Florida Region - a misconception which was promoted by Hondius' 1606 map of Virginia & Florida.
Shipped unmatted
