Lotter, Tobias Conrad "Pensylvania Nova Jersey et Nova York…”

Tobias Conrad Lotter.  "Pensylvania Nova Jersey et Nova York Cum Regionibus Ad Fluvium Delaware In America Sitis, Nova Delineatione ob oculos posita per Tob. Conr. Lotter Geographum Aug. Vind.".   

 Augsburg: T.C. Lotter, 1756-1774. 22 x 20. Engraving. Light hand color. Strong impression. Although conserved it has light scattered stains, especially at bottom right corner. Else, good condition. Full margins.  

Along with its cartographic importance, the map has a wonderful visual appeal. The elaborate rococo title cartouche in the upper left presents an idyllic picture of the New World, illustrating American flora and fauna and showing peaceful natives showing-off the fecundity of their world to a prosperous looking European. One of the most salient visual aspects of the map is its crude depiction of rivers and mountains. Adding to the appeal of the map is its obviously distorted picture of New England, squeezed into the available space so that the entire region, including Cape Cod, fit into an area narrower than New Jersey. This distortion is to achieve relative direction. Overall, this is a decorative and historic, though misunderstood, document worthy of any collection. Ref.: J.W. Docktor, "Seutter/Lotter Map of Pensylvania Nova Jersey et Nova York," The Portolan (Winter, 1993): 12-19.