Africa. 'Nova et Accurata Totius Africae Tabula'; 'Afrika gedrukt tot Amsterdam by...

Africa. 'Nova et Accurata Totius Africae Tabula'; 'Afrika gedrukt tot Amsterdam by R & J.O. Tens op den Nieuwen Dyk ca. 1700': map of Africa showing named rivers, lakes, seas, mountains and settlements, and the distribution of native peoples; the features depicted are partly conjectural (and often inaccurate by modern standards), particularly in the interior and southern parts of the continent. Decorative cartouche, containing the Dutch title. Extensive reference note on projection, in Latin. Traced from an original map in the possession of Mr Cloete, Cape of Good Hope; traced by Lieutenant Jean P Jacquet. A note, in English, states that the map was forwarded [?to the War Office] by Colonel Fanshawe, CBE, and gives details of how, according to Fanshawe, the approximate date of 1700 was conjectured. Stamped by the Topographical Depot, War Office, 16 June 1868.

Filed with this tracing is a small newspaper cutting from The Athenaeum, 27 June 1868, which refers to the original map. It notes that the information on the map suggests that certain localities claimed at that time to be recent discoveries, including Lake Albert, had been known about by Dutch and Portuguese hydrographers two centuries previously. The sheet of paper to which the cutting is affixed bears an instruction from Colonel Sir Henry James, Topographical Department, War Office, for the cutting and tracing to be kept together. This sheet also stamped by the Topographical Depot, War Office, 1 July 1868.

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Africa