| Method | Copper engraved |
| Artist | Dapper, Olfert |
| Published | [Amsterdam, 1670] |
| Dimensions | 270 x 357 mm |
| Notes |
A decorative map of Morocco, from the German edition of Dapper's Naukeurige Beschrijvinge der Afrikaensche Gewesten, commonly known as the Description of Africa. Cartographically, the map is heavily based on Willem Blaeu's map of the same title. North is oriented to the right, with part of Spain featured, and the Straits of Gibraltar. Fez, Marrakesh, and Taroudant are shown as walled cities, and a smoking spout north of Fez contains a note to say that fire perpetual erupts from the earth. The sea is adorned with various ships, and the title is set within a highly decorative cartouche in the lower left corner. Olfert Dapper's 'Description of Africa' was an ethnographic book which offered a detailed description of the parts of Africa known to Europeans in the mid-seventeenth century. Despite the work being regarded as one of the most important and detailed seventeenth-century publications on Africa, Dapper himself never actually visited the continent. Instead, he relied on the reports of Jesuit missionaries and Dutch explorers. The 'Description of Africa' was first published in 1668 by Jacob van Meurs in Amsterdam, with a second Dutch edition appearing in 1676. In 1670, a German translation of the publication was issued, and in the same year, an English translation, which is generally attributed to John Ogilby. A French edition was published in 1676, although it was not as true to the original as the other translations. Olfert Dapper (1636 - 1689) was a Dutch physician and writer. Despite never travelling outside of the Netherlands, Dapper was a writer of world history and geography. Condition: Pressed vertical centre fold as issued. Time toning to sheet. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £250.00 |
| Stock ID | 45504 |