Juta's map of South Africa

One of the iconic maps of Southern Africa, published immediately prior to the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand; Juta's maps produced in South Africa are sought after and his early maps of the region, such as this one, are now seldom in the market. 

Jan Carel Juta came to South Africa in 1853 from the Netherlands. He trained as a lawyer and married Karl Marx's sister; he established the well-known JC Juta & Company, the first publishing company in the country. Juta died in the year following the publication of this map.

This map first was published in 1884 (by Samson, Low et al in London)and updated in 1885 and 1888 (and published by JC Juta & Co in Cape Town). The map was enlarged posthumously to become Juta's Map of South Africa from the Cape to the Zambesi. 

This earlier map by Juta is of Southern Africa south of about 21°S. Juta depicts in full colour the magisterial divisions of the Cape Colony at the time, while those of the burgeoning Dutch Republics of the Orange Free State and Transvaal (SA Republic) are depicted in outline colour. The map also shows the state of development of the Cape railway network, arguably the most successful construction development in the region in the last quarter of the 19th century.

This folding map was dissected and laid on linen; there is age-toning but otherwise it is in fine condition; it still folds within its original boards.

 This map is a wonderful cartographic snapshot of South Africa on the eve of the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand.