"Nouvelle Description de L'Europe" A genuine 17th Century map, bearing the imprint bottom right "Jollain excudit 1667".

A scarce map of the whole of Europe from a rare Atlas, probably the "Tresor des Cartes Geographiques" by Gerard Jollain. There are several "Jollains" at work during the mid-17th century, and the usually-precise editors of the Tooley Dictionary have "been unable to clarify the relationships between the Jollains with any certainty."

What is certain is that this small but detailed map shows some of the phantom or imaginary islands that crept into the early maps of the Atlantic, this being a fairly late example. So for example, there is "Brazil", situated West of Ireland, an Island going way back into Celtic history, where all was perfect, the garden of Hesperides, said to be surrounded by mist which made it hard to locate as the mist rose only once every 7 years.

Another such Island is Frisland, seen here next to Iceland, off the coast of Greenland, upon which the Venetian nobleman Nicolo Zeno was said to have been cast during a violent storm in 1380, where he met Zichmni, the great Lord and owner. This Island can be found on Mercator's influential map of 1569, and there it stayed, in various places until the end of the 17th century.

Another island one will search for in vain is As Maidas, first proposed in 1367.....

As well as displaying these exotic if phantom places, the map shows the lack of information regarding land towards the North Pole, with sketchy hints of anything north of Norway, etc.

The map is in good condition, with attractive handcolouring.

Size: The sheet measures approx. 25 x 18cms, the map itself approx. 19 x 13.5cms.

Condition: In good condition with attractive handcolouring. Margins browned and a little ragged at the right hand edge. "5" in ink at the top. Pencil "1667 Jollain" on the back.

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