Herman Moll (c.1654-1732), "A New and Exact Map of the Dominions of the King of Great Britain... Containing Newfoundland, New Scotland, New England, New York, New Jersey, Pensilvania, Maryland, Virginia and Carolina. According to the Newest and most exact observations by Herman Moll Geographer", First State of Five, London, 1715, bearing the imprint "Sold by H. Moll over against Deverux Court on the Strand", period hand colored engraved laid paper on two joined sheets, elaborate cartouche in lower center with dedication to the Honourable William Dowglass, five inset maps or scenes added in lower portion, including "A Map of the Improved Part of Carolina", "A Map of the Principal Part of North America", "A View of ye Industry of Beavers in Canada", "A Draught of ye Town and Harbour of Charles-Town", and a map of Louisiana and East Florida, 40-1/2 x 24-1/2 in.; black and gilt painted frame, 42-1/2 x 26-1/2 in. - Note: Moll's famous "Beaver Map" documents the ongoing dispute between Great Britain and France over the boundaries separating their colonies in America. The striking beaver scene inset serves to not only symbolize the industriousness needed to settle in America but also the lucrative fur trade spreading wealth and opportunity among the colonies. The distinctions of the first state is noted in Pritchard and Taliaferro, Degrees of Latitude: Mapping Colonial America, by the imprint "Sold by H. Bowl over against Deverux Court on the Strand, London, 1715" in the lower left border. In addition the Carolina inset was not yet divided into parishes and "Cherecies 3000 men" was engraved within the Louisiana inset. -
Literature: Margaret Beck Prichard and Henry G. Taliaferro, Degrees in Latitude: Mapping Colonial America, New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2002, pp. 114-117.
Condition
loose, paper tape reinforcements at points in folds, some chipping at edges, small tear upper right at edge, handling crease lower right corner, staining verso through to front, toning, minor spotting, possibly some trimming to left side, frame with minor abrasions and paint losses