“NOVVEAV CONTINENT OU AMERIQUE” Frankfurt: Alain Manesson Mallet, c. 1683. Engraved map with later hand-coloring. (Ref: McLaughlin, The Mapping of California as an Island, #86). First state with page 269 upper right & French verso. (Image : 5 ½ x 3 ¾’’)
This beautifully engraved map is shows California as an island (following Henry Briggs map, which showed California as an island, it became an accepted geographical misconception continuing until 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 northwestern coastline of North America starts to extend west near 60 degrees north. Australia is partially delineated, and the northwest region of North America is left unfinished (unknown).
Mallet (1630-1706) was a Parisian engineer who taught mathematics & geometry at the court of Louis XIV & was an expert on fortifications. Because he traveled extensively, Mallet personally surveyed many of the maps. (Ref: Norwich, Maps of Africa, p. 182).
Presented in an archival 14x11'' mat
