Africa, with all its States, Kingdoms, Republics, Regions, Islands, &ca.

Copperplate engraving by Samuel Boulton.
1794
Pubiished in London by Laurie & Whittle.

”This is probably the most important map of Africa produced in the 18th century.”

This map, based on d'Anville's map is unique in that it is a serious attempt to compile all of the accurate scientific knowledge of the African continent available at the time. Boulton attempts to depict both known and unknown parts of the continent with actual data reported by both contemporary and ancient travellers. For example, he notes a community of Jews near what would today be Mali.

Though a very small community of Jewish traders did live in Mali in the 15th century, most had been killed or converted to Islam by the 16th century. Boulton also relies heavily on the geography of Claudius Ptolemy. The regions around the Zambezi, called Monomotapa, are particularly interesting as many considered this area to be the Biblical land of Ophir, where one could discover the mines of King Solomon. This map has been assembled from 4 separate engravings. (Ref: Norwich map 105).

1300mm x 1120mm framed

R100,000