Charte der Sudspitze Africa und der Colonie vom Vorgebirgedernugen Hoffnung

Uncommon German edition of the first modern map of South Africa.This map was featured in a recent exhibition in Princeton, USA with the following commentary: 'Detailed map of South Africa, published in Weimar in 1802, based upon a map produced by Sir John Barrow, which is considered the first modern map of South Africa. The map shows the settled and unknown regions, with topographical features depicted. The outcome of his journeys was a map which, despite its numerous errors, was the first published modern map of the southern parts of the Cape Colony.'

'Reinecke was the official cartographer to the Geographical Institute in Weimar, which produced some of the finest world atlases in Germany during the 19th century. On this map, he has outlined in yellow the boundary of the Cape Colony and its several districts. As indicated in the title, it is chiefly based on the 1797-1798 travels of Sir John Barrow, who published his two-volume account in London between 1801 and 1804; hence, the map contains information that was as up-to-date as possible. Accompanying Lord Macartney, who had been sent to Cape Town in 1797 as the first governor of Britain’s new colony, Barrow travelled extensively into the interior.'

This map is printed on heavy paper that has an uncommon light blue colour. The map and paper are in fine condition.

Reference: Not in Tooley or Norwich https://libweb5.princeton.edu/visual_materials/maps/websites/africa/maps-southern/southern.htmlJ