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Davidson Galleries fully guarantees every work to be an authentic work of art as described. In the event that it is demonstrated by a qualified professional in the field that an item has been misrepresented, a full refund will be granted. Because we work with artists and consignors who get paid according to which works are sold, Davidson Galleries is unable to offer a cash refund for items returned beyond 7 days of purchase. Returns for gallery credit may be made up to 90 days after purchase. Under some circumstances, Davidson Galleries offers the option to take works out of the gallery on approval. Please inquire for more information about this process.

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California As An Island

An exhibition of Antique Maps

The Antique Department is proud to present an exhibition dedicated to the legendary depiction of California as an island. The mistake first surfaced in 1510 and persisted into the 18th century despite contradictory evidence. Tales about the island existing as a prelapsarian paradise added further mystique to this continued cartographic error. It has since become one of the most interesting and sought-after occurrences, appealing to historians, cartographers and collectors alike.

Archived gallery exhibition page from February 2012

• 
  Allain Manesson-Mallet (French, 1630-1706)
  Nouveau Mexique et Californie
  Hand-colored engraving on laid paper, 1686. For German edition, German title across top.
  5-1/2 x 7-3/8 inches.
  31491c
  $600
• 
  Daniel de la Feuille (French, 1640-1709)
  L’Amerique Septentrionale, Noord America (North America)
  Hand-colored engraving on laid paper, 1702. For Atlas Portatif. Reference: McLaughlin 147. Lightly toned, some smudging the margins.
  5-3/8 x 7-3/8 inches.
  31492c
  $750
• 
  Herman Moll (German, ca. 1654-1732)
  The Isle of California, New Mexico, Louisiane, the River Misisipi and the Lake’s of Canada
  Hand-colored engraving on laid paper, 1701-1723. Published in London. Reference: McLaughlin 144.
  6-3/8 x 7-1/4 inches.
  31493c
  $875
• 
  Johann Georg Schreiber (German, 1676-1750)
  America
  Hand-colored engraving on laid paper, 1749. For Atlas selectus von allen konigreichen un landem der welt. First state, published in Leipzig. Reference: McLaughlin 233.
  6-3/8 x 7-1/4 inches.
  31494c
  $400
• 
  Allain Manesson-Mallet (French, 1630-1706)
  Nouveau Continent
  Hand-colored engraving on laid paper, 1683. Second state of French edition, published in Paris. French text verso.
  5-3/4 x 4 inches.
  31495c
  $350
• 
  Herman Moll (German, ca. 1654-1732)
  America
  Hand-colored engraving on laid paper, 1726. Trimmed to plate mark.
  10-1/4 x 7-3/8 inches.
  31496c
  $375
• 
  Pieter van der Aa (Dutch, 1659-1733)
  America, or Niew-Onstekte Weereld
  Engraving on laid paper, 1706-07. Map by Joseph d’Acosta. Published by va der Aa. Reference: McLaughlin 167 i/ii. Lightly toned, some soft creases along right fold.
  6 x 9 inches.
  31497c
  $850
• 
  Cornelis Wytfliet (Flemish, ?-1597)
  Granta Nova et California
  Engraving on laid paper, 1597. For Descriptions Ptolemaicae Augmentum. Slightly rubbed in a few areas, backed with mulberry paper for strength.
  9 x 11-3/8 inches.
  31499c
  $3500
• 
  Melchior Tavernier II (French, 1594-1665)
  East and West Hemispheres, Carte l’Amerique and Carte Nouvelle de l’Europe, Asie et Afrique
  Hand-colored engraving on laid paper, 1639. 12 inch diameter each. Some spotting, small repaired tear center right edge of W. Hemisphere.
  31500c.
  $2800 for the pair
  california
• 
  Melchior Tavernier II (French, 1594-1665)
  The second map from the pair
• 
  Didier Robert de Vaugondy (French, 1723-1786)
  Carte de la Californie
  Showing five maps of California, spanning 1604-1767. For Denis Diderot’s (French, 1713-1784) Encyclopédie. Hand-colored engraving on laid paper, 1770. Reference: McLaughlin 241.
  11-3/8 x 15 inches.
  31504c
  $600
• 
  Didier Robert de Vaugondy (French, 1723-1786)
  Carte de la Californie
  Showing five maps of California. For Denis Diderot’s (French, 1713-1784) Encyclopédie. Engraving on laid paper, 1770. Reference: McLaughlin 241.
  11-3/8 x 15 inches.
  31505c
  $475
• 
  Carel Allard (Dutch, 1648-ca. 1706)
  Recentissima Novi Orbis Sive Americae Septentrionalis
  For Magnum theatrum belli, quousque se hodie in orbe extendit. Hand-colored engraving on laid paper, ca. 1700. Published in Amsterdam. Reference: McLaughlin 132.
  19-1/2 x 23 inches.
  31507c
  $3250
• 
  Mattheus Seutter (German, 1678-ca. 1757)
  Novus Orbus Sive America
  For Atlas Novus. Hand-colored engraving on laid paper. Published in Augsburg. Reference: McLaughlin 211 ii/v.
  19-5/8 x 22-3/4 inches.
  31508c
  $2200
• 
  Pieter Schenk (Dutch, 1661-1711)
  Novus Orbus Sive America
  For Atlas Contractus. Hand-colored engraving on laid paper, 1659. Published in Amsterdam. Reference: McLaughlin 120. Light mat burn, small repaired tear bottom centerfold.
  18-3/4 x 22 inches.
  31509c
  $2800
• 
  Amérique Septentrionale (North America)
  Shows California as a peninsula. Hand-colored engraving, 1830. Published in Paris
  7-1/4 x 8-1/2 inches.
  31337c.
  $275
  
• 
  Johannes Janssonius (Dutch, fl. ca. 1597-1629)
  Mar del Zur
  For A Grand Atlas. Hand-colored engraving on laid paper, 1652-68. German text verso. Reference: McLaughlin 11, i/ii. Repaired tear along bottom centerfold, some staining, mainly in margins.
  17-1/4 x 21-1/4 inches.
  31511c
  $3600
• 
  Justus Danckerts the younger (Dutch, ?-1692)
  Nova Totius Terarum Orbis Tabula
  Hand-colored engraving on laid paper, 1680. Backed with linen for strength, some soiling in printed area.
  18-1/2 x 21-3/4 inches.
  31512c
  $8000
• 
  Gerard Valck (Dutch, 1652-1726)
  Mappe-Monde Geo-Hydrographique ...
  Hand-colored engraving on laid paper, ca. 1686. Repaired centerfold.
  20 x 22-3/4 inches.
  31513c
  SOLD
• 
  Nicholas de Fer (French, 1646-1720)
  Mappe-Monde, ou Carte Generale de la Terre
  Hand-colored engraving on laid paper, 1700. Engraved by H. van Loon.
  17-1/4 x 27-1/2 inches.
  31514c
  $3800
• 
  Alexis-Hubert Jaillot (French, ca. 1632-1712)
  Amerique Septentrionale
  Hand-colored engraving on laid paper, 1692. From the design of Nicolas Sanson (French, 1600-1667). Issued in Atlas nouveau, continent toutes les parties du monde ... Reference: McLaughlin 55, i/iv.
  22-1/2 x 34-1/4 inches.
  31516c
  $6000