Historic Map : The West Indies and Caribbean, Herman Moll, 1732, Vintage Wall Art

Herman Moll's 1732 map of the West Indies is a significant document that covers a vast area, including the eastern coast of Mexico, all of Central America, the Gulf of Mexico, North America, and the northern part of South America. The map provides an abundance of information on the region's ocean currents and includes commentary on the traffic of Spanish treasure fleets traveling between Veracruz and Europe. Moll's acquaintance with pirates William Dampier and Woodes Rogers likely contributed to the wealth of information on the Spanish treasure fleets' routes, including their stopovers in Cartagena and Havana, and the narrow passage between Florida and the Bahamas, where they were most vulnerable to attacks from pirates and British privateers.

Aside from its cartographic accuracy, Moll's map is also notable for its political and ideological commentary. Moll includes numerous notations, such as the river route through Tabasco and Chiapas, that offer insight into his political persuasions. He also extends French control of Louisiana westward to the present-day Texas-Mexico border and includes Florida in the French region, which suggests an anti-Spanish stance. This map of the West Indies is a fascinating historical document that provides a wealth of information on the region's geopolitical landscape and the complex dynamics of international trade and commerce during the 18th century.