(MANUSCRIPT MAP.) [Staab, Odo.] Didactic manuscript map of Africa. Ink and watercolor on...

(MANUSCRIPT MAP.) [Staab, Odo.] Didactic manuscript map of Africa. Ink and watercolor on wove paper. 20 x21 1/4 inches sheet size; a bit age toned, few minor worm holes within image, small closed edge tears, early mount remnants on verso. [Germany, circa 1813]

An exceptional manuscript composition most likely done in, or for, a German school classroom. The central map of Africa is surrounded by finely detailed vignettes including a coastal view of the mountains from the south east coast, exotic natural history with a rendition of Francois Le Vaillant's famous giraffe illustration, a decorated Egyptian sarcophagus, a village of "Hottentots", several figures labeled Kaffern (or Kaffir), and portraits of Muley Molut, an early Moroccan warrior king and Johann Flitza, a Dutch preacher and writer. While unsigned, the hand, style and design of this work are all comparable to a signed manuscript map of Europe by Odo Staab dated 1813, sold here at Swann December 13, 2018, lot 122.