
Map of Jamaica of 1671 – Atlas Maritimus
“Novissima et Accuratissima Insulae Jamaicae Descriptio”, Seller, John
This is the first edition of a very rare English map showing the island divided into districts.
In 1670, Sir Thomas Modyford commissioned a survey of the island, which was completed by John Man, the Surveyor General of Jamaica from 1661 to 1671.
The following year, John Seller, John Ogilby and Richard Blome used the survey to publish maps of Jamaica.
Seller’s map, which is very similar to Ogilby’s version, shows the most prominent settlements with the landowners named in the large legend at the bottom.
Port Royal is correctly located and there are numerous settlements in the southern part of the island.
Anchorages, rocks, shoals and soundings are shown along the coast.
The map is splendidly decorated with a title cartouche showing the coat of arms of Jamaica and putti holding aloft the coats of arms of the island’s governors: Doyley, Winsor, Modiford and Lynch.
The large dedication cartouche is left blank, crowned by Indians and flanked by crocodiles. Other decorative elements include a man shooting a bull, a compass rose, a sea monster and a sailing ship.
John Seller was a pioneering British publisher of nautical charts and one of the most important figures in the early history of British cartography.
Seller’s shop, located near the Tower of London in Wapping, became a meeting place for sailors who arrived with the latest news from faraway places, providing Seller with essential information for his nautical chart business.
As well as nautical charts, he produced a wide range of cartographic material, the first to rival the major Dutch companies such as Blaeu and Jansson.
Seller was appointed Royal Hydrographer by Charles II in 1671, having also served under James II and William III.
Unfortunately, his business was built on an unstable foundation and although he made several attempts to avoid bankruptcy, including a consortium partnership with other cartographers such as William Fisher and John Thornton, he was ultimately unsuccessful.
Publicações Relacionadas
Map of Madeira and the Canary Islands from 1692
Map of Brazil 1698 - Historical Map
Engraving of Fort Nassau in Pernambuco, 1671
Engraving of the Bay of Todos os Santos from 1690 – Historical Engraving
Map of the Captaincy of Paraíba and Rio Grande, 1720
Map of the Bay of All Saints and Pernambuco, 1700
1592 Map of the Western Hemisphere - Historical Map
Map of Europe from 1644: A Classic Antique
1730 Map of the Western Hemisphere - Historical Map
1659 Map of the Western Hemisphere - Historical Map
Map of Recife in Pernambuco from 1679: Historical Insights
1679 Map of Recife - Historical Map
1744 Map of the Western Hemisphere - Historical Map
Map of Rio de Janeiro, 1775 - Historical Map
Map of the Azores from 1584
Map of South America from 1615: Explore the Details
Map of South America from 1650: A Historical Overview
1671 engraving of Fort Orange on the island of Itamaraca
Engraving of Vila de Olinda in 1671 - Historical Engraving
1713 Map of the Western Hemisphere - Historical Map
Map of the Brazilian Coast from 1678 - Historical Map of Brazil
Engraving of the town of Olinda in 1633 - Historical Engraving
1631 Map of the Western Hemisphere - Historical Map
1660 Map of the Western Hemisphere - Historical Map
1607 Map of the Western Hemisphere - Historical Map
Map of Santa Catarina Island 1777: A Historical Treasure
Map of Brazil 1554 - Historical Maps of Brazil
Engraving of Salvador de Bahia from 1770 - Historical Maps
Map of Brazil from 1798: Explore Historical Details
Historical maps showing the territorial development of Brazil
1740 Map of the Western Hemisphere - Historical Map
Map of Brasil from 1757: Historic Coastal Views
Map of Olinda in Pernambuco from 1640 - Historical Map
1677 Map of the Western Hemisphere - Historical Map
Map of South America 1601 - Historical Map
Map of Brazil 1730 - Historical Map
This post is also on:








