This
map came from the Miami Map Fair International in 2005.
It shows the Atlantic Ocean and portions of four continents.
According
to the London dealer who sold it to me, the original
plates were made by the cartographer John Sellers in
the late 1600s, were used many times in the printing
press, then were "nicked" (stolen) by persons
unknown, who scratched off the name John Sellers and
left the cartouche blank, except for the words, "The
Western Ocean."
The
map's murky past didn't dissuade me from buying it;
I was drawn to the colorful animals and people that
decorate the map. The map has been sized to 8.5 x 11
inches so you can print it at home on ordinary paper.
I've
also included (below) some close-ups of the cartouche
and the animals that the original cartographer etched
into the copper plate, and that some later person (the
thief?) colored by hand. A framed collection of these
little images, printed on heavy, ivory-colored paper,
would look lovely on the wall of a child's room (or
your own). I have removed the lettering from inside
the cartouche so that you can add your own touches.
This map is my gift to you. I hope you enjoy it. Click
here to download
a PDF.
