A new and correct map of the coast of Africa from Cape Blanco [...] to the Coast of Angola [...]. With explanatory notes of all the forts and settlements belonging to the several European powers by Richard William Seale (1732-1775) [engraver]; Malachy Postlethwayt (1707?-1767 ) [author] - 1753

"Vast quantities of the choicest Negroes upon the whole coast"

Richard William Seale (1732-1775) [engraver]; Malachy Postlethwayt (1707?-1767 ) [author].

A new and correct map of the coast of Africa from Cape Blanco [...] to the Coast of Angola [...]. With explanatory notes of all the forts and settlements belonging to the several European powers.

[London], J. & P. Knapton, 1753.

Engraved and etched map and text on two leafs pasted together, printed on one side. 41,5 x 54 cm. (sheet), 39,5 x 48,5 cm. (plate).

Map of all slave forts on the African "Slave Coast" and beyond, from Senegal to Angola, or, as the author calls it, "a map of the coast of Guinea". With a more detailed inset map of the "Gold Coast" (Ghana) and an inset text block giving more information about the forts.

The detailed information this map gives about the slave trade by all European India Companies makes this map an important map. Locations of the forts are given of the English Royal African Company, the Dutch West-Indische Compagnie, the Danish Vestindisk-Guineisk Kompagni and the French Compagnie française des Indes occidentales. The inset map shows the location of all these forts, marked by the flags of the countries where the Companies that own them are from. The inset text describes 34 forts, giving the name, owner and characteristics. It becomes clear from this text that the ownership of the forts was under constant dispute and that, according to the author's English perspective, the French were partaking in illegal trade activities all over the place, making this map a politically motivated one. The map was modeled after Richard William Seale's earlier map of West Africa for John Hinton's Universal Magazine of London, 1743. The present edition is significantly larger and includes lengthy descriptions of all the forts, sailing routes, location and names of tribes and other topographical information. The greatest addition is the attention to the distinction between the various India Companies. The map was used for Malachy Postlethwayt's Universal Dictionary of Trade & Commerce, 1751-1755.

Condition: two clean folds, minor fraying, slightly browned and slight ink offset. Otherwise in very good condition.

Reference: Malachy Postlethwayt, The Universal Dictionary of Trade & Commerce, London, 1751-1755.