An Important Map of Chile Based on an Indigenous Source

MOLINA, Juan Ignacio. [Madrid, 1795]

Chile/ Arauco War.  MOLINA, Juan Ignacio (1740-1829).  [Madrid: 1795]  MAPA Del Pais Que Habitan Los Araucanos En Chile De Poncho Chileno.  14 ¾ x 10 7/8 inches.  Copperplate engraving.  Flattened folding map: a few, faint stains, a closed marginal split, else excellent condition.

A scarce and important map of Chile, based on an indigenous source, that was first to depict the lands of the Mapuche people in any detail.  It appeared in the first natural history of Chile, see below, authored by Molina, a Spanish-Chilean Jesuit, who was an historian, translator, geographer, botanist, ornithologist, and linguist as well as naturalist.  The map is notable for encompassing the area in which the Spanish attempted to quell uprisings of the Mapuche people, mostly fought in the Araucanía region of Chile.  It involved several campaigns over a very long period spanning from the early 16^th through late 17^th century. 

A note on the map states somewhat vaguely its author was one “Poncho Chileno,” apparently an indigenous Chilean.  Molina clarifies this in the preface of Part II of his natural history of Chile: [in translation:] “ I have been unable to obtain any documents other than a magnificent printed map of the region inhabited by the Araucanians—a map whose author chose to remain anonymous, using only the pseudonym 'Poncho Chileno.' As this map is of great utility for understanding my History, I have had it redrawn and included in this Compendium."

Published in: Compendio de la historia geográfica, natural y civil del reyno de Chile e by Abbé Don Juan Ignacio Molina (Madrid: Sancha Press, 1795).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arauco_War; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Ignacio_Molina

Price: $450.00