Africa or Further Libya where are the Sahara or Desert, the Country of the Negroes, Guinea and the surrounding Countries...., Jan van Somer, 1655

Sanson's regional map of west africa contains a lot of newer information about the coast, some speculation about the interior, and not a lot of ornamentation other than the cartouche. Instead of simply copying older dutch maps, sanson researched his subject and cited a couple of sources: samuel blommaert and livio sanuto. Samuel blommaert (1583-1651) was a flemish/dutch merchant and director of the dutch west india company (west-indische compagnie or wic) who had earlier made three trips to the east indies with the dutch east india company (vereinigde oost-indische compagnie or voc), possibly visiting benin. Livio sanuto (1520-1576) was a venetian geographer and cartographer who finished twelve maps of africa shortly before his death. These had not been published until 1588 and copies were not widely distributed. Engraved by jean (jan van) somer. Date: 1655. Dimensions: height: 34 cm (13.3 in); width: 55 cm (21.6 in). Medium: colored engraving on paper. Collection: University of Texas at Arlington. Sanson l'Afrique, ou Lybie Ulterieure 1655 UTA