Antique map - FULL TITLE: A Voyage round the world in the years MDCCXL, I, II, III, IV, by George Anson Esq. now Lord Anson, commander in chief of a squadron of his Majesty’s ships, sent upon an expedition to the South Seas. Compiled from his papers and materials by Richard Walter, M.A., chaplain of his Majesty’s ship the Centurion, in that expedition. Printed for the author by John and Paul Knapton, in Ludgate Street, London in 1749.
The engraving shows a view of Cape Virgin Mary, in Argentina; that being a superior visual aid at the time when navigational instruments were highly inaccurate. Walter writes, ‘… we discovered in the morning for the first time the land called, Terra del Fuego … it appearing of a stupendous height, covered every where with snow. And though the dreariness of this scene can be but imperfectly represented by any drawing, yet the annexed plate contains so exact a delineation of the form of the country, that it may greatly assist the reader in framing some idea of this uncouth and rugged coast. In this drawing (a) is the opening of Steights Le Maire, (b) Cape St. Diego, (1), (2), (3) the three hills, called the three brothers, and (4) Montegorda, an highland which lies up in the country, and appears over the three brothers.’
The Le Maire Straight lies between the island of Tierra del Fuego and Isla de los Estados (Staten Island), of the southern tip off South America.
From the 5th edition of this narrative. The maps and views were engraved by R W Seale.
Condition: The engraving has been washed, de-acidified & pressed and is in excellent condition.
Conditon: GG
Cartographer: Seale. R W / Anson. G.
Date: 1748
Technique: Copper Engraving
Colour: Uncoloured
Width (cms) x Height (cms): 49.4 x 18
Ref: JJB1719