Chart of the Atlantic Ocean. Phantom St Matthew & Mayda Islands. LIZARS 1842 map

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'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.

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Size 53 x 45 cm | 20.5 x 17.5 inches

Date Published: 1842

Type: Antique 19th century atlas map with original hand colouring

Author: Lizars, William Home

Publication: Edinburgh Geographical General Atlas

"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

Condition: Good |

Good; suitable for framing. Please check the scan for any blemishes prior to making your purchase. This is a folding map. There is nothing printed on the reverse side, which is plain

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We assess the condition of each item using three categories: Good, Fair, and Poor. We strive to ensure that any significant flaws are clearly shown in the images provided and detailed in the accompanying condition statement.

Good

The item presents well, with no significant flaws, and is in frameable condition. Minor imperfections—such as light spotting or offsetting, small blemishes, tight margins, neatly repaired tears, or discreet/professionally executed restoration—do not materially detract from its overall appearance.

Fair

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Poor

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