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Finely engraved map of Africa, including a decorative scene in the upper right surrounding van der Aa's title cartouche includes an African, lion, elephants, ivory, and, interesting, several scorpions fighting. The map illustrated an early travel account of the Portugese Voyages to Africa in the first part of the 15gh Century, published by Vander Aa, one of the most prolific compilers of information on the early explorations to America, Asia and Africa. In total, the work reached 130 narratives, which were offered in 28 8vo volumes. A finely executed copper plate engraving with decorative cartouche.
Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733) was a Dutch mapmaker and publisher who printed pirated editions of foreign bestsellers and illustrated books, but is best known for his voluminous output of maps and atlases. Van der Aa was born to a German stonecutter from Holstein. Interestingly, all three van der Aa sons came to be involved in the printing business. Hildebrand was a copper engraver and Boudewyn was a printer.
