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1740 Matthias Seutter Colonial United States Map

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Historic Maps

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Magnificent 1740 Matthias Seutter Colonial United States Map With "Mississippi Bubble" Investment Scheme Theme

c. 1740, Hand-Colored Map entitled, "Accurata delineatio celeberrimae Regionis Ludovicianae vel Gallice Louisiane ol Canadae et Floridae adpellatione in Septemtrionali America descripta quae hodie nomine fluminis Mississippi vel St. Louis…," Ref: Portinaro & Knirsch #117. Choice Near Mint.
This original bold, beautiful Hand-colored Map measures about 22" x 19" and is absolutely perfect for display. It is extremely fresh, colorful and vibrant, and clean with a bold impression. It is defect-free with full margins and has superb eye appeal. This map shows the Eastern part of early Colonial North America. It focuses on the Mississippi River to the Great Lakes outlining the land claims of France, Spain and Britain in different colors. There is a large inset at the upper left, of the Gulf Coast (New Orleans - Mississippi River area) and shows a number of Forts and Indian villages.
A most interesting feature of the map is its ornately engraved and highly elaborate title cartouche. It depicts an allegorical, satirical scene of the infamous "Mississippi Bubble" investment scheme of John Law, with a female personification of the Mississippi River pouring jewels and riches forth, while she is perched precariously upon a bubble! The cherubs above the cartouche are actually issuing stock for the company. Yet another group is blowing bubbles in the foreground, surrounded piles of worthless stock. In the background, desperate investors climb a small tree and fling themselves out of it, while in the foreground more disconsolate investors wail and bemoan their fates. One deeply distraught investor actually tries to impale himself on his sword. Above them, a cherub upends an empty moneybag. In nearly three centuries since, have we learned anything from that experience? A spectacular, high quality map with superior appearance and design, that is perfect for framing and display.




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