Carte Particuliere des Costes d'Afrique depuis C. Del Gado jusques Rio Mocambo

Glorious example of Mortier's chart of the Comoro Islands and the Mozambique coast.


This is one of the first charts to focus on the nation of the Comoro Islands situated in the northern part of the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean. It names all three islands as well as the disputed island of Mayotte, here also named Motale. The inset on the upper left shows one of the Comoro Islands, Anjoane or Ndzuani. The coastline focuses on Mozambique from Cape Delgado in the north to Rio Mocambo, just south of the city of Mozambique. The sources used are mainly Portuquese, reflected by the nomenclature used on the map. In addition, the chart has been embellished with a strong compass rose on the upper centre.


The "Neptune Francois" was first issued simultaneously in Paris and Amsterdam by Hubert Jaillot and Pierre Mortier respectively in 1693. The project was highly successful and Mortier developed the Atlas by adding two more sections or volumes to it. The first, Vol II was also issued in 1693 and consisted of a set of charts provided by the noted Dutch artist Romeyn de Hooghe. Collectively these are known as the "Cartes Marines a l'Usage des Armées du Roy de Grande Bretagne" and were originally drawn for William III of Great Britain. De Hooghe was primarily an artist and his charts bear a distinctive pictorial aspect. They have become renowned for their aesthetics, being cited as the most beautiful set of charts ever published. Volume III added in 1700, entitled "Suite de Neptune" concentrated on charts outside of French territory, including maps of the New World, the West Indies, South East Asia and the Indian Ocean among others.


Mortier's edition was a prestige work. Later scholars have found that his book was the most expensive sea atlas produced in Amsterdam up to that time. On the rare occasions that an example of one of the maps in full original colour can be obtained, it is easily perceived why this work is cited as one of the finest and most spectacular atlases ever produced.


Magnificent original hand colour. [AFR6052]

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