c 1725 Large World Map - Calif as Island - J. Senex

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“A MAP OF THE WORLD Corrected from the Observations communicated to the Royal Societys of London and Paris” London:  John Senex, c. 1725. (Image: 23 x 42 ¾’’)  

Engraved map with original hand-coloring.References: Wagner: Northwest Coast, 497, 522; Portraits of the World, #47, p. 56; Whitfield: The Image of the World, pp. 110-111. Condition report: Professionally de-acidified and backed with archival materials, with minor loss restored in the margins.  

This scarce large-scale world map by John Senex was first published in 1711 with his partner John Maxwell, whose name has been erased from the plate for this revised edition, dated 1725. The map was both separately issued and included in Senex’s Modern Geography. This is the early 1725 issue with California shown as an island – a later state issue shows it as a peninsula.

Whitfield notes “this map represents the complete ascendancy of scientific taste in eighteenth-century twin-hemisphere world map: the map’s borders are filled neither with classical motifs nor even with scientific motifs, but with scientific texts, long and detailed passages from two of the foremost scientists of the day [Isaac Newton and Edmund Halley]”.

Senex was one of the leading English cartographers in the early 18th century - appointed Geographer to Queen Anne.  His maps are highly regarded for their quality.  From 1714 to 1740, he was a key figure in the London map trade.  Cartographer, globe maker and engraver, he operated a book shop in Fleet Street as well. He was awarded membership as a Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of his cartographic accomplishments.

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  • Inventory# M-9871
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