Popple, Henry
1755

A Map of the British Empire In America

Carte Particuliere de l'Amerique Septentrionale: A Map of the British Empire In America with the French, Spanish and the Dutch Settlements adjacent thereto by Henry Popple

DESCRIPTION: Beautiful, original hand-colored example of the Covens and Mortier (Dutch) edition of Henry Popple's key map of North America. Made under the auspices of Britain's Lords Commisioners of Trade and Plantations.

The index sheet or key map for Henry Popple's great 20-sheet map, the most important of its time. According to R.V. Tooley "This was the best and most detailed map issued up to this date [1733]." (Tooley, R.V. Maps and Map Makers. p 114.) Published from Amsterdam in 1741 by Covens and Mortier. An important endorsement by Sir Edmund Halley (famous for the eponymous comet) in the bottom right reads in part:
" I have see the abovementioned map which as far as I am judge seems to have been laid down with great accuracy and to show the position of the different provinces and islands in that part of the globe more truly than any yet extant."

In upper left and right hand corners of Popples key map are insets of Niagara Falls, Mexico City, Quebec and New York City. At right is a column of 18 plans of ports, harbors and islands including Boston, Cartagena, Charleston, Bermuda, New York, and Annapolis. The map is richly embellished with a title cartouche featuring Native Americans, monkeys, a crocodile and a scene of European traders. Numerous ships and sea battles are shown throughout the oceans that are hachured and arrows depict current directionality. Engraved by Johannes Condet.

Popple's personal history is poorly known. McCorkle states
"… he came from a family whose members had served the Board of Trade and Plantations for three generations, a connection that must have been a factor in his undertaking the map, his only known cartographic work. As Popple had no training or experience as a mapmaker he used available manuscript and printed maps as his sources ... ".

CREATOR: Popple, Henry

PUBLICATION DATE: 1755

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States

BODY OF WATER: N/A

CONDITION: Good.  On thick laid paper. Browned. Short margins at top and botton. Strengthened center fold. Slight marginal stains.

COLORING: Original outline hand coloring. Traces of oxidation bleed through on verso confirms age of color.

ENGRAVER: 

SIZE: 19 " x 19 "

ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 53

PRICE: $4200

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