AFRICA.
Antique steel engraved map with original outline hand colouring, 1846
Title of map: 'AFRICA.'
The image below shows an enlarged cross section from the centre of the map to show the level of printed detail:
Much of Central Africa was unexplored by Europeans in 1846 and is therefore shown as blank on the map. Lake Victoria was first sighted by a European in 1858. The map shows the "supposed source of R. Zaire". Marked on the map are the Mountains of Kong, a non-existent mountain range charted on English maps of Africa from 1798 through the late 1880s. An early map resulting from exploration of the area and showing this west to east mountain range in 1798 was produced by English cartographer James Rennell. The mountains were thought to begin in West Africa near the highland source of the Niger River near Tembakounda in Guinea, then continue east to the also fictitious Central African Mountains of the Moon, thought to be where the White Nile rose. Cartographers stopped including the mountains on maps after French explorer Louis Gustave Binger established that the mountains were fictitious in his 1887-1889 expedition to chart the Niger River from its mouth in the Gulf of Guinea and through Côte d'Ivoire.
DATE PRINTED: 1846
IMAGE SIZE: Approx 34.5 x 41.0cm, 13.5 x 16.25 inches (Large)
ARTIST/CARTOGRAPHER/ENGRAVER: Engraved by J & C Walker
PROVENANCE: "Maps of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. A new edition, corrected to the present time", published by Charles Knight & Co, 22 Ludgate Street, London
TYPE: Antique steel engraved map with original outline hand colouring
VERSO: There is nothing printed on the reverse side, which is plain
CONDITION: Good; suitable for framing. Please check the scan for any blemishes prior to making your purchase. Virtually all antiquarian maps and prints are subject to some normal aging due to use and time which is not obtrusive unless otherwise stated. I offer a no questions asked return policy - see below.
AUTHENTICITY: This is an authentic historic print, published at the date stated above. I do not offer reproductions. It is not a modern copy. The term 'original' when applied to a print means that it was printed at the first or original date of publication; it does not imply that the item is unique. 'Print' means any image created by applying an inked block to paper or card under pressure by any method including wood engraving, steel engraving, copperplate, wood cut and lithography.
REMARKS: FRANCE: Gravures et Cartes anciennes. DEUTSCHLAND: Alte Lankarten und Stadt ansichten. ITALIA: Stampe e Mappe antiche. ESPAÑA: Mapas antiquos y impresiones antiguas. E and OE. Force Majeure. English law shall apply.
RETURNS POLICY: I offer a no questions returns policy. All I ask is that you pay return shipping and mail back to me in original condition, suitably packed & insured, within 14 days of receipt.