An uncommon map of the American continent by Hendrik de Leth published c.1740. Depicted on an equal area Mercator projection with corrected lines of longitude, it illustrates the continent at a time just before conflict was about to reshape North America. France is granted all of Louisiana and Florida and California is correctly illustrated as a peninsula. It draws on Nicolas Sanson for information regarding climate, native peoples, and languages. The cartography is drawn from the more recent work of Robert de Vaugondy. The unknown northwest is marked as ‘Mer Glaciale’.

In South America, the source of the Rio de la Plata is given as the mythical lake ‘Xarayes’. Similarly, the higher latitudes are sparsely detailed, especially ‘Terre Magellanique’ or modern-day Patagonia. The whole is finished with an attractive cartouche for the title and scale of miles.

Hendrick de Leth (1703-66) was born in Amsterdam, the son of the engraver and bookseller Andries de Leth (1662-31). His father had acquired the business of Nicolaas Visscher II from his widow Elizabeth Visscher (fl.1702-26). Hendrick joined his father and subsequently the bookseller’s guild in 1728. He is also well known for collaborating with Leonard Schenk and for his production of topographical works. Provenance: Richard B. Arkway 2001; Juan and Peggy Rada Collection. Koeman (1967-70) p. 267; Tooley’s Dictionary (1999-2004).