Map of the Western Hemisphere, 1740
This impressive map of the Americas shows a prominent island of California, based on the second Sanson model, with two jagged bays on its north coast.
Just above the island is the Strait of Fretum Anian and the coastline of Terra Esonis incognito, obscured by an elaborate cartouche depicting the religious conversion of the natives.
The Great Lakes are somewhat distorted, with large false inlets on the western shores of Lakes Superior and Michigan.
A suggestion of a Northwest Passage is hinted at by a passage between rivers, inspired by the accounts of Baron Lahontan.
The map is filled with place names and details of the routes of the great Pacific explorers. A series of exotic birds hover above the large title cartouche depicting Native Americans fishing, cutting sugar cane, farming and paying homage to a chief.
A second cartouche contains text describing the important discoveries made in America and the conversion of the natives to Christianity. This is the second state, inscribed Clima on the sides. “Novus Orbis sive America Meridionalis et Septentrionalis, per sua Regna Provincias et Insulas Iuxta Observationes et Descriptiones Recentiss. Divisa et Adornata…”, Seutter, Matthias
Map of the Western Hemisphere of 1740 – Historical Map
