Mapa Geológico de España – África, Cádiz, Málaga – Hoja No. 59 – Segunda Edición

Description:

An uncommon geological map of the Strait of Gibraltar and the adjoining coasts of southern Spain and North Africa, issued as Hoja No. 59, África – Cádiz – Málaga, in the historic Mapa Geológico de España. The sheet is explicitly designated “Segunda Edición Hoja No. 59” but is undated.

The map has an unusually striking geographical composition, placing the Estrecho de Gibraltar at its centre. The southern extremity of Andalusia occupies the upper part of the map, including Algeciras, San Roque and Gibraltar, while the opposing North African coastline incorporates Tangier, Ceuta and the surrounding territories. It consequently presents the geology of the two continents in direct geographical relationship across the Strait.

Geological formations are differentiated by colour and identified in the printed key at the right, including Actual, Diluvial, Plioceno, Mioceno, Cretáceo, Jurásico Superior, Jurásico Liásico, Triásico, Siluriano and Estratocristalino, together with igneous rocks. The combination of geological information with the political and geographical configuration of the Strait makes the map of interest beyond purely geological collecting, particularly in relation to Gibraltar, Tangier, Ceuta, Spanish North Africa and the historical cartography of the western Mediterranean.

The upper left bears the heading “Mapa Geológico de España”, together with a note concerning the topographical information employed in its preparation. At upper right it is described as having been formed and published by the commission responsible for the geological map under the direction of Manuel Fernández de Castro. The printed price “Precio 1 pta.” appears above the central title.

Institutional records confirm África–Cádiz–Málaga as Sheet 59 of the historic Mapa Geológico de España. This early national geological sheet numbering should not be confused with that employed for later Spanish geological mapping programmes. Separate examples of the África–Cádiz–Málaga sheet appear to be infrequently encountered, particularly as loose maps outside institutional collections.

The sheet is particularly appealing cartographically because it does not treat the Mediterranean as a boundary to the mapped area. Instead, southern Spain and northern Africa are presented as part of the same geological landscape, making the Strait itself the visual and geographical focus of the map.

Condition

Very good. Original horizontal and vertical fold lines. Some light handling and minor age-toning, principally to the margins. Small contemporary pencil annotations beside several entries in the geological key and faint manuscript markings to the margins. The printed colours remain strong and clear. Please refer to the accompanying photographs for further detail.

Maker: Comisión del Mapa Geológico de España. Issued under the direction of Manuel Fernández de Castro.

Date: Undated but c. 1890–1895

Edition: Second Edition – Hoja No. 59

Sheet Size: Approximately 30.4 × 58.5 cm

Subject: Cádiz – Málaga – Gibraltar – Strait of Gibraltar – Tangier – Ceuta – North Africa

Location: Map Drawer D

Sleeve: 2234

Rarity and Historical Interest

An uncommon individual sheet from the historic Spanish national geological mapping programme. Its subject gives it considerably wider interest than many regional geological sheets: Gibraltar, Tangier and Ceuta are all represented within a single geological survey, with the Strait of Gibraltar occupying the centre of the composition.

Institutional holdings establish the existence and identity of África–Cádiz–Málaga as Sheet 59, but individual examples are not commonly encountered in the commercial market. It is therefore best described as scarce.

The map has particular relevance to collectors of Spanish geology, Gibraltar, Morocco, Tangier, Ceuta and Mediterranean cartography, while its strong original colour and unusual cross-Strait configuration also give it considerable decorative appeal.

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