A New & Exact Map of the Coast, Countries and Islands Within ye Limits of ye South Sea Company
Herman Moll (German, ca. 1654–1732)
A New & Exact Map of the Coast, Countries and Islands Within Ye Limits of Ye South Sea Company
[London]: Sold by Herman Moll, [1711?]
Hand-colored engraving
The London-based cartographer Herman Moll produced several maps designed to inflate the value of South Sea Company shares. This one touts the existence of direct routes to overseas markets and gold mines. It also implies the Company’s readiness to carry out its activities by providing information on trade winds and coastal navigability. An advocate of disrupting Spain’s economic dominance of South America, Moll includes instructions to English privateers on where to station their ships for the purpose of harassing Spanish treasure fleets leaving or sailing to Acapulco, Mexico. The insets at the top were copied from a secret Spanish map that Moll acquired from a pirate—who, naturally, stole it.
The New York Public Library believes that this item is in the public domain under the laws of the United States, but did not make a determination as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. This item may not be in the public domain under the laws of other countries.
