
Description
Western Africa'. The map shows sub-saharan west Africa prior to the later "Scramble for Africa" colonisation. Senegambia is shown, as is the state of Liberia. Ashantee (roughly present day Ghana) is indicated. The coasts are evocatively named in turn as the "Grain coast", "Windy coast", "Ivory Coast", "Gold Coast" & "Slave coast". Saharan camel caravan routes are indicated. Vignettes: Christiansborg; Cape Coast Castle; Bakel; Sierra Leone. Marked on the map are the Mountains of Kong, a non-existent mountain range charted on English maps of Africa from 1798 through the late 1880s. An early map resulting from exploration of the area and showing this west to east mountain range in 1798 was produced by English cartographer James Rennell. The mountains were thought to begin in West Africa near the highland source of the Niger River near Tembakounda in Guinea, then continue east to the also fictitious Central African Mountains of the Moon, thought to be where the White Nile rose. Cartographers stopped including the mountains on maps after French explorer Louis Gustave Binger established that the mountains were fictitious in his 1887-1889 expedition to chart the Niger River from its mouth in the Gulf of Guinea and through Côte d'Ivoire. . Map drawn and engraved by J. Rapkin; vignette illustrations drawn by H Winkles & engraved by E Radclyffe. Published by John Tallis & Co. Published 1851. Antique engraved map by J Rapkin, published by John Tallis. Original outline hand colour, decorative border, and attractive inset vignette views. Size 37 x 27 cm | 14.5 x 10.5 inches. Condition: Good; suitable for framing. The image shown may have been taken from a different example of this map than that which is offered for sale. The map you will receive is in good condition but there may be minor variations in the condition from that shown in the image. This map was coloured by hand at the time of publication, thus the colouration may vary slightly between different examples of the map; the colouring applied to the map you receive may differ slightly from that shown in the image. Please check the scan for any blemishes prior to making your purchase. There is nothing printed on the reverse side, which is plain. Tags: West Africa, West Africa + Tallis, West Africa + Tallis + Tallis's Illustrated Atlas, West Africa + Tallis John & Rapkin John, West Africa + Tallis's Illustrated Atlas, Western Africa
Reserve: $80.00
Shipping:Domestic: Flat-rate of $55.00 to anywhere within the contiguous U.S. International: Foreign shipping rates are determined by destination. International shipping may be subject to VAT. Combined shipping: Please ask about combined shipping for multiple lots before bidding. Location: This item ships from Africa
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Reserve: $80.00
Shipping:
Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.
Buyer's Premium
20%
WESTERN AFRICA.Kong Mountains.Caravan routes.Slave Coast.TALLIS/RAPKIN 1851 map
Estimate $100-$120
Starting Price
$50
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Antique Maps Prints of Africa
Feb 12, 2026 2:00 PM ESTNew York, NY, United States
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