Map of Jamaica 1671 – Atlas Maritimus “Novissima et Accuratissima Insulae Jamaicae Descriptio”, Seller, John This is the first edition of a very rare English map showing the island divided into districts. In 1670 Sir Thomas Modyford commissioned a survey of the island, which was completed by John Man, Surveyor General of Jamaica from 1661 to 1671. The following year, John Seller, John Ogilby and Richard Blome used the survey to publish maps of Jamaica. Seller’s map, which is very similar to Ogilby’s version, shows the most prominent settlements with the landowners named in the large legend at the bottom. Port Royal is correctly located and there are numerous settlements in the southern part of the island. Anchorages, rocks, shoals and soundings are shown along the coast. The map is splendidly decorated with a title cartouche showing the coat of arms of Jamaica and putti holding aloft the coats of arms of the island’s governors: Doyley, Winsor, Modiford and Lynch. The large dedication cartouche is left blank, crowned by Indians and flanked by crocodiles. Other decorative elements include a man shooting a bull, a compass rose, a sea monster and a sailing ship. John Seller was a pioneering British publisher of nautical charts and one of the most important figures in the early history of British cartography. Seller’s shop, located near the Tower of London in Wapping, became a meeting place for sailors who arrived with the latest news from faraway places, providing Seller with essential information for his nautical chart business. As well as nautical charts, he produced a wide range of cartographic material, the first to rival the major Dutch companies such as Blaeu and Jansson. Seller was appointed Royal Hydrographer by Charles II in 1671, having also served under James II and William III. Unfortunately, his business was built on an unstable foundation and although he made several attempts to avoid bankruptcy, including a consortium partnership with other cartographers such as William Fisher and John Thornton, he was ultimately unsuccessful.
Map of Jamaica of 1671 – Atlas Maritimus
“Novissima et Accuratissima Insulae Jamaicae Descriptio”, Seller, John
This is the first edition of a very rare English map showing the island divided into districts.
In 1670, Sir Thomas Modyford commissioned a survey of the island, which was completed by John Man, the Surveyor General of Jamaica from 1661 to 1671.
The following year, John Seller, John Ogilby and Richard Blome used the survey to publish maps of Jamaica.
Seller’s map, which is very similar to Ogilby’s version, shows the most prominent settlements with the landowners named in the large legend at the bottom.
Port Royal is correctly located and there are numerous settlements in the southern part of the island.
Anchorages, rocks, shoals and soundings are shown along the coast.
The map is splendidly decorated with a title cartouche showing the coat of arms of Jamaica and putti holding aloft the coats of arms of the island’s governors: Doyley, Winsor, Modiford and Lynch.
The large dedication cartouche is left blank, crowned by Indians and flanked by crocodiles. Other decorative elements include a man shooting a bull, a compass rose, a sea monster and a sailing ship.
John Seller was a pioneering British publisher of nautical charts and one of the most important figures in the early history of British cartography.
Seller’s shop, located near the Tower of London in Wapping, became a meeting place for sailors who arrived with the latest news from faraway places, providing Seller with essential information for his nautical chart business.
As well as nautical charts, he produced a wide range of cartographic material, the first to rival the major Dutch companies such as Blaeu and Jansson.
Seller was appointed Royal Hydrographer by Charles II in 1671, having also served under James II and William III.
Unfortunately, his business was built on an unstable foundation and although he made several attempts to avoid bankruptcy, including a consortium partnership with other cartographers such as William Fisher and John Thornton, he was ultimately unsuccessful.
