Miniature Map of the Island of Madagascar

Bertius, Petrus/ Pieter. Jodicus Hondius II. "Description De L'Isle de Madagascar" I.S.Lauretij sive Madagascar. Amsterdam Jodicus Hondius Jr. 1616
Copper engraved map of the island of Madagascar by Hondius from Petrus Bertius' "Tabularum geographicum contractarum libri septum. " French text to verso describing the succeeding map.
The map shows Madagascar and the surrounding small islands.
Strap work cartouche. Dark impression; printers creases to left blank margin .
Koeman: Lan 11. 95 by 134mm (3¾ by 5¼ inches).    €120

Miniature Map of Southern Africa.

Bertius, Petrus/ Pieter. Petrus Kaerius/Pieter van der Keere; Jodicus Hondius. "Description De L'Æthiope Inferieure" Africæp pars meridional. Amsterdam Jodicus Hondius Jr. 1616
Copper engraved map of Southern Africa from Petrus Bertius' "Tabularum geographicum contractarum libri septum. " French text to verso describing the succeeding map.
The map shows present day South Africa, Madagascar, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and northwards into Angola, Zambia, Mozambique.
Strap work cartouche; large ship to sea. Dark impression.
Koeman: Lan 11. 95 by 134mm (3¾ by 5¼ inches).    €150

Miniature Map of São Tomé.

Bertius, Petrus/ Pieter. Petrus Kaerius/Pieter van der Keere; Jodicus Hondius. "Description De LIsle de St Thomas." Insula St. Thomæ. Amsterdam Jodicus Hondius Jr. 1616
Copper engraved map of the island of São Tomé from Petrus Bertius' "Tabularum geographicum contractarum libri septum. " French text to verso describing the succeeding map.
The map shows the island of São Tomé in the Gulf of Guinea,the main island of São Tomé and Príncipe.
Strap work cartouche; ship and large fish to sea. Dark impression; slight soiling to lower blank margin.
Koeman: Lan 11. 95 by 136mm (3¾ by 5¼ inches).    €60

Miniature Map of the Cape Verde Islands.

Bertius, Petrus/ Pieter. Petrus Kaerius/Pieter van der Keere; Jodicus Hondius. "Description De LIsle du cap de Verd." Insulaæ Capitas Viridis. Amsterdam Jodicus Hondius Jr. 1616
Copper engraved map of the Cape Verde islands from Petrus Bertius' "Tabularum geographicum contractarum libri septum. " French text to verso.
The map shows the islands and part of the coast of Senegal. Dark impression; slight soiling to lower blank margin.
Koeman: Lan 11. 94 by 133mm (3¾ by 5¼ inches).    €80

The Kingdoms of Fez and Marocco.

Blaeu, Guillaume & Jean. Imperium Fessanum. "Fezzæ et Marocchi Regna Africæ Celeberima describebat Abrah. orteius.." Amsterdam: Apud Johannem Guiljelmi F. Blaeu. 1655
Copper engraved map of Fez and Marocco from volume 2 of Joan Blaeu's "Theatrum Orbis terrarum, sive atlas novus .pars secunda."Original outline colour. Double page; folio; Latin text to verso..
Decorative title cartouche; ships to sea.
The map is after the desription of Ortelius. Original outline colour; good impression; light toning due to former framing; light toning to edges of page; a couple of spots to blank margins; centre fold split to lower blank margin, repared with archival tape to verso.
Koeman1, Bl 24C. 393 by 500mm (15½ by 19¾ inches).    €350

Famous Figure map of Africa.

Blaeu, Guillaume & Jean. L'Afrique "Africæ nova descriptio. Auct. Guiljelmo Blaeuw." Amsterdam Chez Jean & Corneille Blaeu. c1640
Original coloured, copper engraved figure map of Africa from volume 2 of Joan Blaeu's "Le Theatre du Monde ou Nouvel Atlas." Double page; folio; French text to verso.
The famous figure map of Guillaume Blaeu has 9 town views in upper border and 10 costumed figures in side borders, there are numerous galleons and monsters to the sea; lions, elephants and other wild animals to the body of the map. "This is one of the most decorative and popular of all the early maps of Africa" (Norwich 32).
Much of the geographical information is still based on the Ptolemaic maps, with the Nile shown with its source in the Lakes Zaire and Zaflan. Also included are various other mythical lakes and rivers including the famous Lake Sachaf of Laurent Fries. Original outline colour; good impression; evenly toned due to previous framing;brown paper tape to edges of verso, due to framing. some light spotting,1 darker spot to lower left above Privilege; lower centre fold split,repaired to verso.
Koeman1, Bl 17[ 1/A]. 414 by 555mm (16¼ by 21¾ inches).    €3200

The Kingdom of Prester John.

Blaeu, Guillaume & Jean. Regnum Abissinorum. "Æthiopia Superior vel Inferior: vulgo Abissinorum sive Pesbiteri Joannis Imperium." Amsterdam: Apud Johannem Guiljelmi F. Blaeu. 1655
Copper engraved map of East Africa from volume 2 of Joan Blaeu's "Theatrum Orbis terrarum, sive atlas novus .pars secunda."Original outline colour. Double page; folio; Latin text to verso..
Decorative title cartouche; ships to sea; elephants, ostriches and monkeys to the interiors of the countries.
Two Ptolemaic lakes, Zair and Zaflan are shown in the southern portion of the map as being the main source of the Nile. Lake Niger is shown as the source of the Niger River, flowing westward. The map contains numerous coastal place names such as Mozambique Island, Quiloa, Mombaza, and Melinde indicating the importance of the area to both Arab and Portuguese traders and explorers from other countries

Prester John was believed to be a Christian king of enormous power and splendor. The legend first appeared in the 1100's with his kingdom believed to be in Asia, but as the area was further explored, the location of this mythical kingdom moved to the Middle East and eventually present day Ethiopia. This legend persisted for centuries. When Vasco de Gama went on his voyage from Mozambique north in the 1400's, he heard that "Preste Johan" ruled the interior. Original outline colour; good impression; light browning to edges of plate mark due to former framing; light toning to edges of page. Split to lower centre fold [not entering plate] repaired with archival tape, to verso.
Koeman1, Bl 24C. 385 by 500mm (15¼ by 19¾ inches).    €500

West Africa.

Bleau, Willem and Johannes. Guinea "Guinea." Amsterdam: Apud Johannem Guiljelmi F. Blaeu. 1655
Copper engraved map of Guinea from volume 2 of Joan Blaeu's "Theatrum Orbis terrarum, sive atlas novus .pars secunda."Original outline colour. Double page; folio; Latin text to verso..
Decorative title cartouche; putti carrying a large Ivory tusk; ships to sea; elephants, lions, leopards, crocodiles and monkeys to the interiors of the countries: dedication & coat of arms to lower left corner. Original outline colour; good impression; light browning to edges of plate mark due to former framing; light toning to edges of page.
Koeman1, Bl 24C. 385 by 528mm (15¼ by 20¾ inches).    €400

South Africa.

Bleau, Willem and Johannes. L'Ethiopie Inferieure. "Æthiopia Inferior vel Exterior. Partes magis Septentrionalis, quæ hic desiderantur, vide tabula Æthipiæ Superioris." Amsterdam: Jean Blaeu, 1640
Copper engraved map of South Africa from Blaeu's " Le Theatre du Monde ou Nouvel Atlas "Vol 2 . Black & white; French text to verso
Decorative title cartouche; native Africans holding a buffalo skin, monkeys and turtles at their feet; elephants to Mozambique, and buffalos and monkeys to interior; large ships and turtle to seas. Good impression;slight creasing at centre fold
Koeman I Bl 17. F. [205];Van der Krogt II, p.150 and 2:212.2 390 by 532mm (15¼ by 21 inches).    €500

West Africa.

Bleau, Willem and Johannes. La Guinee. "Guinea." Amsterdam: Johannes and Cornelius Blaeu, 1640 [but 1643-1645].
Copper engraved map of Guinea from the 2nd edition of Blaeu's " Le Theatre du Monde ou Nouvel Atlas"Vol 2 .'This edition ... is a much more advanced one than the edition of 1638/1640. The text has been reset' (Van der Krogt).
Original outline colour; French text to verso.
Decorative title cartouche; putti carrying a large Ivory tusk; ships to sea; elephants, lions, leopards, crocdiles and monkeys to the interiors of the countries: dedication & coat of arms to lower left corner. Evenly toned; spottting, mainly small except 1 larger to upper right corner : crease from lower margin .
Van der Krogt II, p.150 and 2:212.2 ;Koeman:Bl 17: D [207]. 390 by 532mm (15¼ by 21 inches).    €400

Moroccan cities.

Braun & Hogenberg. Frans Hogenberg & Simon Novellanus` Tangiers, Ceuta, Safi, Asilah & Salé, Morocco. "Tingis", "Tzaffin", "Septa", "Arzilla", & "Sala" Cologne Theodori Graminæi. 1572
5 copper engraved views of the Moroccan cities of Tangiers, Cueta, Safi, Asilah & Salé from the first volume of Braun & Hogenberg's "Civitas Orbis Terrarum. " Latin text to verso. First state. 5 views on 1 plate. Dark impression; a few light stains, mainly to blank margins. Crease at centre fold.
Short tears at lower margin[ approx 15mm].
Keoman vol2; B&H1/56 329 by 480mm (13 by 19 inches). Tangiers:176x238mm; Safi:176x230mm; Cueta, Asilah & Salé :approx 138    €350

Tunis, AL-MAHDIYA & PEÑON DE VÉLEZ, north Africa.

Braun & Hogenberg. Frans Hogenberg & Simon Novellanus` Tunes; Apphrodisium, vulgo Africa; PEÑON DE VÉLEZ "Tunes, Oppidum Barbarie & Regia sedes; Anno 1535 cum a Carolo V Imp. expugnareteur, A ioanne Maio euis Maies Fatis pictore ad Vinum delineatum; Africa olim Aphrodisium & PEÑON DE VÉLEZ" Cologne G von Kempen 1575
3 copper engraved views of Tunis, MAHDIA (AL-MAHDIYA) & PEÑON DE VÉLEZ DE LA GOMERA from the second volume of Braun & Hogenberg's "Civitas Orbis Terrarum. " Latin text to verso.

The bird's-eye view depicts the Peninsula of Mahdia, Aphrodisium or Africa in the throes of deadly battle on the water and on land. In 1546 the pirate Turgut Reis, following the death of Admiral Khair ad-Din, called Barbarossa, became the new commander-in-chief of the Ottoman naval forces. He besieged and plundered such places as Sicily and Calabria and attacked the Spanish bases in North Africa. In 1549 he captured the town of Mahdia, supremely protected by defensive labyrinthine walls. The plate depicts the massive recapture at sea and on land by the Spanish Admiral Andrea Doria and the Maltese Claude de la Sengle in September 1550. Mahdia, or the Horn of Africa, is located on an ancient site, which in the 16th century was thought to be Ptolemy's Aphrodisium.

PEÑON DE VÉLEZ DE LA GOMERA The plate depicts a small rocky island under siege cannon fire from the land as well as from the sea. Fortifications with towers, walls and planted flags can be identified on the sheer cliffs of the island. The Spanish, battling the resident pirates there, initially captured the island in 1508. Afterwards it fell under Moroccan rule for 42 years until the Spanish won it back 1564. after an engraving by Giovanni Francesco Camocio, c 1570. Good impression; a few light spots to margins.
Keoman vol2; B&H2/57 335 by 477mm (13¼ by 18¾ inches).    €450

The City of Algiers.

Chandeher, J. Eug. Cicéri. lith. Algiers. "Vue D'Algier" Paris Lemercier c1835
Large tinted Lithograph view of the Port of Algiers.
The view from the sea shows the town from the sea ,showing the light house and sea walls built to El Peñón.
Algiers was captured by the French in 1830 and became the capital of French Algeria. Overall light foxing heavier to blank margins; 2 creases into image; tear [35mm] to lower margin repaired; short tear [7mm] to upper margin.
490 by 690mm (19¼ by 27¼ inches)page.    €700

Algiers.

Dapper, Olfert. Algiers. " De Stadt Algier La Ville D'Alger." Amsterdam Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom. Someren en Goethals 1686
Copper engraved double page view of Algiers, from Olfert Dapper's "Description de l'Afrique," the first edition in French; black and white, verso blank.
The view shows the port of Algiers, with ships to the foreground. key to both upper corners in Dutch & French, identifying significant landmarks; title on decorative banner to sky. Dark impression; light toning; spotted, worse to margins, particularly upper right [ could be washed]; old ink number to upper margin.
Mendelssohn I, p.413. Cox I, p. 361; Gay 219. 265 by 357mm (10½ by 14 inches).    €200

Asilah, Morocco.

Dapper, Olfert. Jacob van Meurs. Asilah. "Arzilla of Argille." Amsterdam Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom. Someren en Goethals 1686
Copper engraved double page view of the port of Asilah, Morocco from Olfert Dapper's "Description de l'Afrique," the first edition in French; black and white, verso blank.
The view shows the town and port of Asilah; ships to foreground.
In 1471, Asilah was occupied by the Portuguese who built the town's fortifications. It was voluntarily returned to Morocco in 1550, but was absorbed by the Spanish as they took control of Portugal in the late 16th century. In 1692 the town was recaptured by the Moroccans under the leadership of Moulay Ismail. it would later become a centre for piracy. Dark impression; light toning; some spotting mainly to blank margins; old ink number to upper margin.
Mendelssohn I, p.413. Cox I, p. 361; Gay 219. 233 by 323mm (9¼ by 12¾ inches).    €150

M'Bansa or Sao Salvador, Congo/ Angola.

Dapper, Olfert. Bansa or S. Salvador capital of the Congo "'Bansa ofte de stadt Salvador. Hoofdstadt van het Rijk Congo. - Bansa ou Salvador capitale de Congo" Amsterdam Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom. Someren en Goethals 1686
Copper engraved double page view of Bansa or S. Salvador, capital of the Congo now in Angola, from Olfert Dapper's "Description de l'Afrique," the first edition in French; black and white, verso blank.

The plate shows a view of the city of M'Banza-Congo / Sao Salvador in Angola, formerly in the Kingdom of Congo with boats in the foreground on the river Lelunda; key to both upper corners in Dutch & French, identifying significant landmarks.

"With a population of 30,000 plus. It sat on a cliff with river below a forested valley. The King's dwelling was described as a mile and half enclosure with walled pathways, courtyard, gardens, decorated huts, and palisades" [Coguery- Vidrovitch & Catherine 2005]
The city is now is the capital of Angola's northwestern Zaire Province. It is sometimes called Mongo a Kaila (mountain of division) because of legends recalling that the king created the clans of the kingdom and sent them out from there. Dark impression; light toning;ocassional spotting; old ink number to upper margin; chips to edges at lower corners.
Mendelssohn I, p.413. Cox I, p. 361; Gay 219. 245 by 352mm (9¾ by 13¾ inches).    €120

The Barbary Coast, North Africa.

Dapper, Olfert. Barbary, Libya and part of Niger. "Barbaria Biledulgerd o Libye et pars Nigritarum Terra." Amsterdam Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom. Someren en Goethals 1686
Copper engraved double page map of the Barbary Caost, North Africa, from Olfert Dapper's "Description de l'Afrique," the first edition in French; black and white, verso blank.
Decorative map of the famed Barbary coast extending from Morocco to Libya. and inland showing the Sahara with some imaginary lakes.
Adorned with lions, elephants, and ostriches in the interior, ships in the sea, and a large decorative title cartouche surrounded by merchants, sailors and slaves. Dark impression; light toning; some offsetting and occasional spotting; old ink number to upper margin.
Mendelssohn I, p.413. Cox I, p. 361; Gay 219. 266 by 320mm (10½ by 12½ inches).    €175

The Slave Castle Cormantin, on the Gold Coast, Ghana.

Dapper, Olfert. Jacob van Meurs. Castle Cormantin. " Kasteel van Cormantin. Chateua de Cormantin." Amsterdam Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom. Someren en Goethals 1686
Copper engraved double page view of the castle of Cormantin, Ghana, from Olfert Dapper's "Description de l'Afrique," the first edition in French; black and white, verso blank.
The view shows the castle of Cormantin, on the Gold Coast, Ghana with ships to the foreground exchanging fire; title on decorative banner to sky.
The castle was built by the English between 1631 and 1645 as Fort Cormantine or Fort Courmantyne, it became the centre for British trade in gold and slaves particularly after the British capture of Jamaica in 1655 when there was a rise in demand for slave labour. Cormantin met that demand and led to slaves in Jamaica and elsewhere in the Americas becoming known as Coromantees.
The lucrative gold and slave trade attracted the attention of the Dutch who captured the castle under admiral Engel de Ruyter of the Dutch West India Company in 1665 during the Second Anglo-Dutch war. It was subsequently made part of the Dutch Gold Coast and renamed Fort Amsterdam; the fort was traded with the British in 1868. Dark impression; light toning; slight offsetting;some spotting mainly to blank margins; old ink number to upper margin.; chips to lower edges .
Mendelssohn I, p.413. Cox I, p. 361; Gay 219.; Patience Essah; "The Historical Encyclopedia of World Slavery, "Volume 1 p195 . 244 by 337mm (9½ by 13¼ inches).    €120

The Portuguese Slave Castle of Elmina, on the Gold Coast, Ghana.

Dapper, Olfert. Jacob van Meurs. Castle Mina in the time of the Portuguese. "Casteel del Mina ten tyde der Portugesen. Chateau de S, George de la Mina Tesuil é toit du emps des Portugais." Amsterdam Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom. Someren en Goethals 1686
Copper engraved double page view of the castle of Elmina,Ghana, from Olfert Dapper's "Description de l'Afrique," the first edition in French; black and white, verso blank.
The view shows castle of Elmina on the Gold Coast, Ghana, as it looked when it was under Portuguese rule, with ships to the foreground exchanging fire; title on decorative banner to sky.

Elmina Castle was erected by Portuguese in 1482 as São Jorge da Mina (St. George of the Mine) Castle, also known simply as Mina or Feitoria da Mina) in present-day Elmina, Ghana (formerly the Gold Coast). It was the first trading post built on the Gulf of Guinea, so is the oldest European building in existence below the Sahara. First established as a trade settlement, the castle later became one of the most important stops on the route of the Atlantic slave trade.
By the seventeenth century, most trade in West Africa concentrated on the sale of slaves. São Jorge da Mina played a significant part in the Atlantic Slave Trade. The castle acted as a depot where slaves were bought in bartering fashion from local African chiefs and kings. The slaves, often captured in the African interior by the slave-catchers of coastal tribes, were sold to Portuguese traders in exchange for goods such as textiles and horses. The slaves were held captive in the castle before exiting through the castle's infamous "Door of No Return" to be transported and resold in newly colonized Brazil and other Portuguese colonies.
In 1637 the fort was taken over by the Dutch, who made it the capital of the Dutch Gold Coast. Dark impression; light toning; some spotting ,one dark to upper blank margin; old ink number to upper margin.; chips to lower edges.
Mendelssohn I, p.413. Cox I, p. 361; Gay 219. 268 by 360mm (10½ by 14¼ inches).    €150

The Dutch Slave Castle at Elmina, on the Gold Coast, Ghana.

Dapper, Olfert. Jacob van Meurs. Castle Mina. "Casteel del Mina." Amsterdam Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom. Someren en Goethals 1686
Copper engraved double page view of the castle of Elmina, Ghana, from Olfert Dapper's "Description de l'Afrique," the first edition in French; black and white, verso blank.
The view shows the Dutch castle of Elmina with the fort of Coenraadsburg on the Gold Coast, Ghana with ships to the foreground exchanging fire; title on decorative banner to sky.

Elmina Castle was erected by Portuguese in 1482 as São Jorge da Mina (St. George of the Mine) Castle, also known simply as Mina or Feitoria da Mina) in present-day Elmina, Ghana (formerly the Gold Coast). It was the first trading post built on the Gulf of Guinea, so is the oldest European building in existence below the Sahara. First established as a trade settlement, the castle later became one of the most important stops on the route of the Atlantic slave trade. The Dutch seized the fort from the Portuguese in 1637, and took over all the Portuguese Gold Coast in 1642. The slave trade continued under the Dutch until 1814; in 1872 the Dutch Gold Coast, including the fort, became a possession of the British Empire.
By the seventeenth century, most trade in West Africa concentrated on the sale of slaves. São Jorge da Mina played a significant part in the Atlantic Slave Trade. The castle acted as a depot where slaves were bought in bartering fashion from local African chiefs and kings. The slaves, often captured in the African interior by the slave-catchers of coastal tribes, were sold to Portuguese traders in exchange for goods such as textiles and horses.
The slaves were held captive in the castle before exiting through the castle's infamous "Door of No Return" to be transported and resold in newly colonized Brazil and other Portuguese colonies. In 1637 the fort was taken over by the Dutch, who made it the capital of the Dutch Gold Coast. During the period of Dutch control, they built a new, smaller fortress on a nearby hill to protect St. George Castle from inland attacks. This fort was called Fort Coenraadsburg. Dark impression; light toning; paper fault close to title causing small hole; some spotting ; old ink number to upper margin.; chips to lower edges.
Mendelssohn I, p.413. Cox I, p. 361; Gay 219. 225 by 332mm (8¾ by 13 inches).    €150

Fort Nassau, on the Island of Gorée, Senegal

Dapper, Olfert. Fort Nassau, on the Island of Gorée, " Het Fort Orange en Nassou opt eiland Goree. Le Fort d'Orange et de Nassau dans lL'isle de Goree" Amsterdam Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom. Someren en Goethals 1686
Copper engraved double page view of the island of Gorée, Senegal from Olfert Dapper's "Description de l'Afrique," the first edition in French;folded; black and white, verso blank. From the second part of Dapper's work the "Description des iIes de l'Afrique."
The plate shows the forts on the island of Gorée, which lies just off the port of Dakar, Senegal. Large ships exchanging fire to the foreground; banner title to sky.
Gorée is famous or infamous as being a gateway for the slave trade; it was first settled by the Portuguese then occupied by the Dutch and finally by the French from 1677 until independence in 1960. Dark impression; light toning; occasional spotting mostly to blank margins; old ink number to upper margin; chips to edges at lower corners,
Mendelssohn I, p.413. Cox I, p. 361; Gay 219. 285 by 365mm (11¼ by 14¼ inches).    €150

Interior of Fort Nassau, on the Island of Gorée, Senegal

Dapper, Olfert. Fort Nassauof Binien and Orange on the Island of Gorée, " Fort Nassou van Binien met Orange t' Eilant Goree. Fort Nassau dans lL'isle de Goree" Amsterdam Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom. Someren en Goethals 1686
Copper engraved double page view of the island of Gorée, Senegal from Olfert Dapper's "Description de l'Afrique," the first edition in French;folded; black and white, verso blank. From the second part of Dapper's work the "Description des iIes de l'Afrique."
The plate shows the interior of Fort Nassau, built by the Dutch on the island of Gorée, which lies just off the port of Dakar, Senegal.The view is from one of the batteries with a number of canon pointing out to sea. banner title to sky.
Gorée is famous or infamous as being a gateway for the slave trade; it was first settled by the Portuguese then occupied by the Dutch and finally by the French from 1677 unti independence in 1960. Dark impression; light toning; occasional spotting mostly to blank margins; old ink number to upper margin; chips to edges at lower corners,
Mendelssohn I, p.413. Cox I, p. 361; Gay 219. 251 by 350mm (10 by 13¾ inches).    €150

Guinea, West Africa.

Dapper, Olfert. Guinea, West Africa. "Guinea." Amsterdam Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom. Someren en Goethals 1686
Copper engraved double page map of Guinea, West Africa, from Olfert Dapper's "Description de l'Afrique," the first edition in French; black and white, verso blank.
Based on the cartography of Blaeu,the map covers the coast from Sierra Leone to Gabon. Decorative title cartouche; scale engraved on an elephant tusk born by 2 putti; lions, elephants and other wild animals to body of map and ships to sea. Dark impression; light toning; slight offsetting; occasional spotting; old ink number to upper margin.
Mendelssohn I, p.413. Cox I, p. 361; Gay 219. 264 by 362mm (10½ by 14¼ inches).    €250

Larache, Morocco.

Dapper, Olfert. Jacob van Meurs. La Rache "La Rache" Amsterdam Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom. Someren en Goethals 1686
Copper engraved double page view of the port of Larache, Morocco from Olfert Dapper's "Description de l'Afrique," the first edition in French; black and white, verso blank.
The view shows the town and port of Larache; ships exchanging fire to foreground.
An important harbour town in the region Tanger-Tétouan in northern Morocco. The town was probably founded by the Banu Arous tribe. but was abandoned when the Portuguese drove out the inhabitants in 1471
Saadi Sultan Mohammed ash-Sheikh decided to repopulate it and build a stronghold on the plateau above river Loukos. He constructed a fortress at the entrance to the port as a means of controlling access to the river.
During the 15th century the Portuguese recognised it as the largest port of the area and as such unsuccessful attempts were made by the Portuguese, Spanish and French to take it. The Kasbah, which was built in 1491 by Moulay en Nasser, later became a pirate stronghold. In 1610, the town passed to the Spanish, who stayed there until 1689, but who mainly used the ports as trading stops and never really administered the town. Moulay Ismail finally recapture the city in 1689. Dark impression; light toning; some spotting mainly to blank margins; old ink number to upper margin.
Mendelssohn I, p.413. Cox I, p. 361; Gay 219. 235 by 331mm (9¼ by 13 inches).    €120

Luanda, Capital of Angola.

Dapper, Olfert. Loanda S Paul. "'Loanda S Pauli" Amsterdam Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom. Someren en Goethals 1686
Copper engraved large view of Luanda, capital of Angola from Olfert Dapper's "Description de l'Afrique," the first edition in French; folded; black and white, verso blank.
The large plate shows a view of the city of Luanda, formerly named São Paulo da Assunção de Loanda the capital of Angola, from the sea . with numerous ships to the foreground; key to both upper corners in Dutch & French, identifying significant landmarks. Ornate title cartouche to sky. Dark impression; light toning; occasional spotting mostly to blank margins, a few light spots to image; old ink number to upper margin.
Mendelssohn I, p.413. Cox I, p. 361; Gay 219. 280 by 498mm (11 by 19½ inches).    €200

Tangier, Morocco.

Dapper, Olfert. Tangier. "Tanger" Amsterdam Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom. Someren en Goethals 1686
Copper engraved double page view of Tangier, Morocco, from Olfert Dapper's "Description de l'Afrique," the first edition in French; black and white, verso blank.
The view shows the port of Tangier enclosed by the city walls, with ships to the foreground; the Governor's house is identified. Title on decorative banner to sky. Dark impression; light toning; occasional spotting; old ink number to upper margin.
Mendelssohn I, p.413. Cox I, p. 361; Gay 219. 245 by 317mm (9¾ by 12½ inches).    €200

The City of Loango, Capital of the Kingdom of the same name.

Dapper, Olfert. The City of Loango. " De Stadt van Lovango. Le Lovango." Amsterdam Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom. Someren en Goethals 1686
Copper engraved double page view of Loango from Olfert Dapper's "Description de l'Afrique," the first edition in French; black and white, verso blank.
The view shows the city of Loango capital of the kingdom of the same name which lay in what is now the Republic of Congo, and thrived between the 15th–19th centuries.
The city is laid out before us with a key in the upper corners in Dutch & French, identifying various features including the criminal being dragged away to slavery in the foreground. Dark impression; light toning; occasional spotting; old ink number to upper margin; chips to lower edges each side.
Mendelssohn I, p.413. Cox I, p. 361; Gay 219. 267 by 334mm (10½ by 13¼ inches).    €200

Tripolis, Libya.

Dapper, Olfert. The City of Tripolis. " De Stadt Tripolis. La Ville de Tripoli." Amsterdam Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom. Someren en Goethals 1686
Copper engraved double page view of Tripolis, Libya from Olfert Dapper's "Description de l'Afrique," the first edition in French; black and white, verso blank.
The view shows the port of Tripolis, capital of Libya with ships engaged in battle to the foreground. Title on decorative banner to sky. Dark impression; light toning; a few spots to image one darker to left sky; old ink number to upper margin.
Mendelssohn I, p.413. Cox I, p. 361; Gay 219. 270 by 352mm (10¾ by 13¾ inches).    €200

Fort Tacaray also known as Fort Witsen on the Gold Coast, Ghana.

Dapper, Olfert. Jacob van Meurs. The Fort Tacaray "Y Fort Tacaray" Amsterdam Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom. Someren en Goethals 1686
Copper engraved double page view of the fort of Tacaray Ghana, from Olfert Dapper's "Description de l'Afrique," the first edition in French; black and white, verso blank.
The view shows small fort on the Gold Coast, Ghana with Dutch ships of the VOC to the foreground.
Fort Tacaray, also Fort Witsen, was a fort on the Dutch Gold Coast, established in 1656 near Takoradi. This fort was destroyed after a few years, and in 1684 the site was abandoned. Dark impression; light toning; some spotting; old ink number to upper margin.
Mendelssohn I, p.413. Cox I, p. 361; Gay 219. 255 by 346mm (10 by 13½ inches).    €120

Cabo Verde, The Cape Verde Islands.

Dapper, Olfert. The Islands of Cape Verde. "Insulæ Promontorii Viridis, Hhispanis Issas de Cabo Verde, BelgisDe Soute Eylanden." Amsterdam Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom. Someren en Goethals 1686
Copper engraved double page map of the cape Verde Islands, from Olfert Dapper's "Description de l'Afrique," the first edition in French; black and white, verso blank.
Decorative title cartouche and scale; compass rose to sea. Dark impression; light toning; slight offsetting; occasional spotting mainly to blank margins, a few to image, one to lower right corner and another to title with a third near scale; old ink number to upper margin; chips to lower side edges far from image.
Mendelssohn I, p.413. Cox I, p. 361; Gay 219. 283 by 317mm (11¼ by 12½ inches).    €250