A Map of America According to ye Newest and Most Exact Observations

London: Carrington Bowles, 1732. unbound. Map. Engraving with hand coloring. Image measures 10 1/4" x 7 1/8".

This early 18th-century map by Herman Moll is a remarkable window into the evolving understanding and persistent myths of the world during the Age of Exploration. Moll's depiction of North and South America, stretching from the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego, blends known geography with speculative features that reflect the cartographic debates and legends of his time.Notable elements include:Insular California: Shown as an island, this enduring cartographic error dates back to early 16th-century Spanish reports. Despite mounting (truncated) evidence in the 17th century that California was a peninsula, the island depiction persisted well into the 18th century. Moll's inclusion highlights both the resistance to discarding popular myths and the uneven dissemination of geographic knowledge.Lake Iarajes (Xarayes): A mythical lake in central South America, often linked to legends of El Dorado or the supposed inland sea. It was believed to be a source of the Paraguay River and appears frequently in maps from this period.Strait of Annian: Another speculative feature, the Strait was thought to connect the Arctic Ocean with the Pacific possibly via a Northwest Passage. Its placement underscores European hopes (and political interests) in finding a maritime route to Asia through North America.

The map was published in Moll's "Atlas Geographicus, or a Compleat System of Geography." In very good condition. Original plate mark is visible.

Of German or Dutch origin, Herman Moll (c. 1654-1732) settled in London in the 1670's where he worked as an engraver for Moses Pitt. By the turn of the century, Moll became the foremost map publisher in England, where he produced Atlases and maps. As an engraver, cartographer, map seller and globe maker he appealed to the public with his unusual views and vignettes. As the demand for his work was sustained, he issued many revised editions of his work. (Inventory #: 328422)