r/oldmaps • u/Sure-Background1116 • 28d ago
Is this map original? UPDATE
Hi! Following up on my previous post (here’s the link: https://www.reddit.com/r/oldmaps/s/jJgGL92T02), I wanted to add some additional details.
I have an update regarding this map. Upon analysing it with backlighting, I noticed a watermark that I believe reads “TOMAS.” Could this provide more information about the map’s origin and age?
I’m attaching some photos for you to review.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
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u/Disastrous-Year571 28d ago edited 27d ago
I think the watermark says P. Tomas (the P is a bit to the left of the Tomas). The below text on 17th & 18th century watermarks suggests P Tomas was a paper maker in Angoumois, France. This suggests your map is indeed old, though the date given for P. Tomas in that watermark reference is 1773, and if your map is an original Sanson it should be a century earlier, 1650-1660s. It is possible the paper maker was active earlier.
See page 21 of this book: https://ia801003.us.archive.org/2/items/b31345736/b31345736.pdf
All of the 1600s Sanson South America maps I can find from dealers and libraries are missing part of the border at lower left, but yours has a full border, and yours also gives a page number at upper right (Tom:I:p.476) - so it may be a later edition, a version taken from an 18th century Atlas.