La Californie ou Nouvelle Caroline: Teatro de los Trabajos Apostolicos de la Compa. de Jesus en la America Sept.
Map, print on paper, likely a modern reproductive print of an 18th-century engraving. • Nicolas de Fer (1646–1720), Geographer to the French King.
Style & Movement
Baroque Cartography / Golden Age of French Mapmaking.
Medium & Technique
Print (likely offset lithograph or modern digital print based on an original copperplate engraving), with faux-aging or printed coloring.
Creation Period
Original map circa 1700-1705; this specific item appears to be a 20th-century reproduction.
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 18 x 24 inches (estimated frame size); landscape orientation.
Subject Description
A historic map depicting California as an island, a common cartographic misconception of the era. The map includes decorative cartouches, indigenous figures, local wildlife (including an armadillo), and a textual history of the Jesuit missions in the region. It covers the area from the Gulf of California to the Mexican mainland.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. Visible horizontal crease or fold through the center and some rippling of the paper under the glass.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150
Auction Estimate
$30 - $80
Provenance History
Unknown; text at the bottom right indicates this is a reproduction from a specific collection (likely the 'Ames-Stone collection'), suggesting it was sold as a museum or library commemorative print.
Art Historical Significance
The original map is a significant document in the 'California as an Island' myth. Nicolas de Fer was one of the most prolific and influential cartographers of his time. This reproduction serves as an educational and decorative piece illustrating historical colonial perspectives of North American geography.
Notable Features
Includes a distinctive caption at the bottom right identifying its source collection, distinguishing it from an original 18th-century pull.
Condition Issues
Significant horizontal fold line; potential light foxing or acidic matting; frame shows minor edge wear and dust accumulation; paper is not perfectly flat within the mount.
Conservation Recommendations
If of sentimental value, replace current matting with acid-free archival materials and use UV-protective glass. Otherwise, maintain in a stable, low-humidity environment away from direct sunlight.