E. WELLS

Orbus Terrarum Cognitus (Map of World in Two Hemispheres)
Showing California as an Island
Dionysi Geographia, 1709

Black & White • Original Engraving • England - 18th century
Unmatted • 4.00" x 7.00" image size • 4.75" x 7.50" outer size

Price: $987.50

Edward Wells was a mathematician and teacher of geography at Christchurch College of Oxford University. In 1700, he issued his Dionysis Geographia (A New Set of Maps) consisting of engraved maps which depict countries and continents in both classical and modern times. The work was dedicated to His Highness William, Duke of Gloucester, who was then a student of geography at Oxford. Wells was the personal tutor to William, who was heir to the throne but died tragically a few months after Dionysis Geographia was completed. The maps, highly regarded when issued for their accuracy, were bold and imaginative but show comparatively little detail. Wells’ map of North America was one of the last to show California as an Island.