TITLE/CONTENT OF MAP: 'Chart of the Atlantic Ocean'
Marked on the map is the phantom (non-existent) St Matthew Island, once thought to lie roughly one thousand kilometers northeast of Ascension Island in the Atlantic Ocean. It's name appears in brackets, presumably reflecting some doubt about its existence at the date of publication. The island appeared on navigational charts until as late as the early twentieth century. It was supposedly located at approximately 2°S 8°W, and was alleged to have been discovered by the Portuguese on St. Matthew's Day 1516. It was shown and named on several maps going back to the beginning of the sixteenth century. Captain James Cook tried but failed to find St. Matthew in 1775 during his second voyage. "Mayter's Shoal", shown west of the Azores, may also be derived from the phantom island Mayda, shown on several published maps of the North atlantic at various points in history. It's position has varied widely over time. Early maps drew the island west of Brittany and southwest of Ireland, but it later moved towards the Americas.
The top image on the right hand side shows the entire map. To view a close up of the map showing the level of printed detail, please click on the bottom image on the right hand side. This map is folding hence the centrefold line may show on the image below
DATE PRINTED: 1842
IMAGE SIZE: Approx 52.5 x 44.5cm, 20.5 x 17.5 inches (Large); Please note that this is a folding map.
TYPE: Antique 19th century atlas map with original hand colouring
CONDITION: Good; suitable for framing. Please check the scan for any blemishes prior to making your purchase. Virtually all antiquarian maps and prints are subject to some normal aging due to use and time which is not obtrusive unless otherwise stated. We offer a no questions asked return policy.
AUTHENTICITY: This is an authentic historic map, published at the date stated above. It is not a modern copy.
VERSO: There is nothing printed on the reverse side, which is plain
FOLDING: This is a folding map.
ARTIST/CARTOGRAPHER/ENGRAVER: William Home Lizars
PROVENANCE: "Lizars' Edinburgh Geographical General Atlas: containing maps of every Empire, State and Kingdom", Edinburgh; W.H. Lizars, 3, St James' Square; S. Highley, 32 Fleet Street, London; and W. Curry, Jun., & Co., Dublin
