Item #11084 Africae, described, the manners of their Habits,… G. Humble Ano 1626. John SPEED.
The First State of the First English Map of Africa
Africa.
[London, 1626]

Africae, described, the manners of their Habits,… G. Humble Ano 1626.

15 ¼ x 19 ¾ inches. Fine hand color; top margin reinforced, a number of largely marginal mends, slight replacement of surface upper left corner, good condition.

A vigorously decorative map of Africa--the first in English but adopting the rich Dutch cartes a figures style so popular at the time.  As is customarily seen on 17th century maps, Africa's interior is filled with fictitious mountains, rivers and lakes as well as notations concerning legends, notably where gold might be found, and geographic speculations. The origin of the Nile conforms to the Ptolemaic tradition of the large twin lakes in the southern part of the continent. The kingdom of Monomotapa occupies a large region in southern Africa. The English text on verso provides a fascinating view of the European concept concerning the wildlife, customs and manners of the African people.  In the side borders are illustrated natives in their tribal costumes. At top is a panel of panoramas and plans illustrating Tangiera, Ceuta, Alger, Tunis, Alexandria, Cairo (Alca), Mozambique and the Canaries.

 

 



* References: Betz #62.1; Norwich #30.

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