Africa, large map Dapper/Van Meurs, 1668, Africae Accurata Tabula ex officina Jacobum Meursium

Large, very searched for, 17th century copper engraved map of Africa, originally issued by Dapper and later by Ogilby and Montanus to accompany their treatises on Africa.

The interior of Africa is still largely unknown, and illustrated with various animals and birds. The map is incredibly detailed, with numerous place names, nations, and peoples listed, though it also retains many of the erroneous but conventional cartographic details for the centre of the continent, including the twin lakes Zaflan and Zaire. Various animals are depicted across the landmass, and in the oceans, numerous European sailing ships are depicted, along with a school of flying fish and a twin spouted whale at the Equator. As well as southern Europe and the Arabian peninsula, the African islands are also included. Above Madagascar, the Seychelles are mapped, though the distances between them are greatly reduced. On the Atlantic side of the continent, Tristan da Cunha is listed but not shown, and St Helena appears twice. Ascension Island is mapped and labelled, and the Cape Verde and Fortunate Isles are prominently displayed. The map is further embellished by a pair of decorative baroque cartouches, the title cartouche supported by a pair of Africans, and the dedication cartouche, here uninscribed, flanked by sea nymphs and tritons.

Published in the first 1668 edition of Olfert Dapper´s "Naukeurige Beschrijvingen der Afrikaensche gewesten en Naukeurige beschrijvinge der Afrikaensche Eylanden", popularly known as ´Description of Africa´.

Very good condition. Very nice hand coloring. Folded as published. Strong paper, clear print.

Image 43,5x54,5cm, page 45x57cm