Price: £1,000.00

• Date: 1736
• Condition: AA
• Colour: Original.
• Size: 62 x 102 cm

Title: 'Map of South America, according to the Newest and most exact observations ...' "To the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Sunderland, and Baron Spencer of Wormleighton, one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaris of State, &c.". From 'The World described'.

The elaborate cartouche designed by Bernard Lens and engraved by George Vertue is balanced by a large (8 x 10) inset view of Potosi with a note about the mining operations there. The caption at Juan Fernandez Island relates Alexander Selkirk's rescue by Dampier on Feb. 2, 1709 – Selkirk being the inspiration for Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. Moll rails against competitors – "ignorant Pretenders, who most falsely and impudently assume ye titles of ye Queen's Geographers...and to deceive mankind have dedicated [these maps] to Dr. Halley..." He also points out their errors: "every body may easily judge what a Dangerous consequence the maps may produce if ever they Should be us'd at Sea..."

In very good condition with only a small tapr reinforcement of part of the right fold.