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Goetze, F. "Charte von der Insel San Domingo," Weimar 1802, $1,850. |
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 "Charte von der Insel San Domingo oder Hispaniola...von F. Goetze"
A beautiful, large scale, detailed map of the island of Hispaniola, issued by the Geographic Institute at Weimar, Germany in 1802. The Institute was arguably the finest and most prolific map publishers in Germany during the nineteenth century. The Carribean islands were "discovered" by Christopher Columbus and his expedition in 1492, believing that they were just off the shores of Southeast Asia. After exploring the Bahama archipelago, and the island of Cuba, Columbus headed south towards another large island which he christened "Isla Espaniola" (or Hispaniola). Charmed by the beauty of the island Columbus wrote about it enthusiasitcally in his log book, "May Your Highness believe that these lands are so greatly good and fertile, and especially those of this island of Hispaniola, that there is no one who can tell it; and no one could believe if he had not seen it." Columbus established the first Spanish colony on the American continent here with a small fort built with materials salvaged from the wreck of the Santa Maria. The island's economy was then and is today fuelled by sugar cane. The map is especially clean and crisp with original outline color. Insets show the island of "Martinique" and "Guadaloupe".
21" x 25 3/4" sheet size copperplate engraving with original outline color. Full margins in excellent condition. Archivally matted and framed in curly maple molding measuring 25 1/2" x 31 1/2"
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