Copper-engraved double-hemisphere map of the world, hand-colored in outline; surrounded with various depictions of the solar system & planets, blocks of engraved text, etc. Engraved by Sutton Nichols. 57.5x97 cm (22½x38¼").
Rare map of the world, with California an island. The trade winds are show, and the text surrounding the map has information on navigation, determining longitude and latitude, climate, etc. There are small surface maps of Mars, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, the Moon, and the Sun, and a diagram of "The Solar System according to the Newtonian Philosophy." Expertly backed with linen (or silk), repairing some tears and some loss in lower margin, which affects a bit of text.
Provenance: London, '75
References: World, British Museum Cat, p 545 with date [1738]; but title begins with A New and Correct Map of the world; this is probably map Potter had in list of 2/94, apparently an earlier issue without Houle's name. The map is similar but with more text on map and the surrounding material is different, though some of the diagrams are the same