Herman Moll's New Map of the World - California as an Island!, Ca. 1725

1p, measuring 13.625" x 8.5", n.p., ca. 1725. A hand-colored map entitled "A New Map of the World according to the New Observations by H[erman] Moll Geographer." A double-hemisphere map showing Australia and New Zealand, and of particular note, California as an island. With an inset sphere of the North Pole atop the two Hemispheres. The upper coast of North America and Canada has been left undefined, as well as the coasts of Australia, Russia, and Japan. Light toning, foxing, and soiling. Slightly uneven. Very good, with bold colors.

Herman Moll (c. 1654-1732) was a Dutch émigré and one of the most important London mapmakers in the first half of the eighteenth century. He first worked as an engraver for Moses Pitt and later set up his own business, becoming the foremost map publisher in England after the turn of the century. Moll's work quickly helped him gain membership into the group of intellectuals who gathered at Jonathan's Coffee House in Exchange Alley. He brushed elbows with the likes of scientist Robert Hooke, archaeologist William Stuckley, authors Jonathan Swift and Daniel Defoe, and the intellectually-gifted pirates William Dampier, Woodes Rogers and William Hacke. From these contacts, Moll gained a great deal of privileged information that would later be included in his maps. Moll also frequently made maps for books, including those in Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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