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Antique maps > world and polar regions > Antique world map - double hemisphere by N. De Fer.

Mappe-Monde, ou Carte Generale De La Terre . . . Par N. de Fer . . . A Paris Chez l'Autheur dans l'Isle du Palais sur le Quay de l'Orloge a la - De Fer, c. 1705. *** RARE ***



Very rare double hemisphere map by N. De Fer (Shirley quotes this map "R").
Third state (of 6), dated 1705. Engraved by H. Van Loon.

Copper engraving
Size: 44 x 70.5cm (17.2 x 27.5 inches)
Verso: Blank
Condition: Old coloured, touched up, excellent.
Condition Rating: A
References: Shirley (World), 600.

From: Separately published.

In the text surrounding this two-sheet map De Fer states that it is a reduction of a larger one prepared a few years earlier and claims (as others before him) that it is the first to be based on the celestial observations of the Royal Academy of Sciences. The geographical details on the map are in fact less exact than those delineated on the De Fer-Van Loon four-sheet world map of 1694, the earlier map referred to. For certain areas, such as California, Australia and Japan it would seem that a different source has been preferred.
The map, nevertheless, contains much of interest and marks considerably more place names than the 1694 forerunner. There is a textual commentary, a table of no less than thirty different measures of the length of one foot according to the definitions or customs of towns in Europe, and corner vignettes of thunder and lightening, tempests and tides, and volcanic eruptions. Two circular diagrams at the top illustrate eclipses of the sun and moon. (Shirley)

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Item number: 24215
Price: 3500 Euro

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