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Title:
Carte de l'Amerique Corrigée, et augmentée dessus toutes les aultres cy devant: faites P. Bertius
- Author: Melchoir Tavernier
- Date: 1639
- Condition: Very good - minor staining on bottom margin
- Inches: 14 1/4 x 10 5/8 [Image]
- Centimeters: 36.19 x 26.98
- Product ID: 308294
Extremely Rare First State of Tavernier’s Map of America
This scarce separately published map originates from Hondius' influential 1618 map and is a reduced version of a map by Petrus Bertius & Melchior Tavernier (1627) sharing the same title.
Notably, it enhances Hondius' work by completing the Tierra del Fuego coastline. While California is depicted as a peninsula, an intriguing detail emerges with the Baja Peninsula isolated by two oddly crossed rivers, suggesting the possibility of it being an island, thus skirting controversy. The western coast of America is elongated, adorned with numerous place names, and features a sizable inland sea in New Mexico. The Great Lakes are reasonably well depicted, although show opening to Hudson’s Bay to the north, and the New England region is labeled as Norumbega.
In South America, intricately engraved natives and trees grace the landscape, accompanied by two significant lakes, Eupana and Parime, located in the interior. Insets of both the North and South Poles offer additional details. The South Pole is portrayed as a substantial continent, pinpointing Beach Province—a reference to a location mentioned by Marco Polo—and Pays des Paroquets (Country of the Parakeets). Meanwhile, the North Pole adheres to the typical cartography of the time, incorporating insights from James and Hudson's expeditions.
Burden posits the creator as Melchoir Tavernier based on the unique spelling of SEPTENTRIONALLE in North America and EQINOCTIALLE for the equator). Additionally, Tavernier produced a world map the same year (1639), similarly dated 1661 in its second state.
Background on Creator
Melchior Tavernier the Younger (1594 – 1665) was a noteworthy figure in 17th-century France, recognized for his contributions to cartography and publishing. Born in Amsterdam around 1594, Tavernier followed his father, Melchoir Tavernier the Elder, into the map trade and established himself as a publisher and engraver in his own right. He played a key role in disseminating maps and atlases during a period marked by the flourishing interest in geographical knowledge and exploration.
One of Tavernier's notable works includes his collaboration with Petrus Bertius on a map titled "Tabula Geographica Mexicae et Floridae." This map, dated 1630, focused on the regions of Mexico and Florida, providing a detailed and visually appealing representation. Beyond his cartographic endeavors, Melchior Tavernier was engaged in the broader cultural and intellectual milieu of his time. His maps often featured intricate details, reflecting the artistic and scientific advancements of the period. Tavernier's work exemplified the intersection of art and geography, showcasing the importance of visual representation in conveying geographical knowledge. His legacy endures through the impact of his maps, which not only served practical navigation purposes but also contributed to the cultural and intellectual tapestry of the 17th century.
References
Burden The Mapping of North America, 256, state 1.