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Alexis Hubert Jaillot after Nicholas Sanson "Amerique Septentrionale." Paris: A. H. Jaillot, 1694-[1719]. 18 x 25 1/4. Engraving by Cordier. Original outline hand color. Good margins. Strong impression. Stamped "116" in upper left corner. Ref.: McLaughlin, 55, iii.
Jaillot, in re-engraving and publishing the then less widely known work of his compatriot Nicolas Sanson, brought French cartography forward to compete with the hitherto unchallenged work of the Dutch. Sanson's design, which this map is based on, was the first to show all five Great Lakes, and this reflects Sanson's concern to obtain as current information as was available. This map closes the western shores of the Great Lakes. Still, many geographic misconceptions were prevalent at the time, and these are well illustrated here. Most noticeable is the depiction of California as an island, though the north coast of Baha Bay is almost closed and the northern Pacific coast abruptly ends. This configuration shows that the island theory is coming into doubt in Europe. The legendary cities of Cibola and Quivira are still depicted in the interior of the continent. To the north central part of the continent the map gives a strong hint at the existence of a northwest passage out of Hudson's Bay. The depiction of the Mississippi River shows that information used by Delisle in his 1718 map of the continent had not reached the mapmaker. With its attractive cartouches, and curious mixture of accurate and illusionary geography, this is much a map of its time. $2,600
Michael Burgers. "A New Map of North America Shewing its Principal Divisions, Chief Cities, Townes, Rivers, Mountains &c.." Oxford: Edward Wells, 1701. State 2. 14 1/2 x 19 1/2.. Engraving by M. Burgers. Outline hand color. Very good condition. Ref.: Burden, II, item 758.
An attractive map of North America from Wells' New Set of Maps both of Ancient and Present Geography. This atlas was issued by Wells for Oxford University students, which explains the clarity of the lettering and the lack of distracting, non-essential decorative features. The map was drawn and engraved by Michael Burgers (also Burg or van de Burgh), a Dutch mapmaker who came to England in 1672 and became the engraver to Oxford University. The map shows the entire continent as well as the northern part of South America and the West Indies. For the students, Wells shows the political situation clearly throughout: North America is divided into the Spanish colonies of Mexico, New Mexico, California; the French colonies of Canada and Florida; and the English colonies are shown running up the east coast from Carolina to New Found Land. Also given, for educational purposes, are notes on when the different regions and islands were discovered or conquered. It is fascinating to think that if one were a student at the turn of the eighteenth century, this map reflects all one would be thought to need to memorize about North America.
Part of that fascination is the realization that much of this 'knowledge' was incorrect, for this maps reflects many of the geographic errors and myths of the period. The most salient geographic myth of the period was the belief that California was an island and that is graphically shown on this map. Other myths shown on this map include the nonexistent lake in the southeast, a mountain range running east-to-west across the middle of the continent, a series of nonexistent straits in Greenland and Baffin Island, and a Mississippi River which flows into the Gulf of Mexico approximately halfway between the true Mississippi Delta and the Rio Grande. And while the rendering of Mexico, the West Indies, and Hudson Bay are quite accurate, the Great Lakes have an unusual shape and positioning. Overall, this is a map which is intriguing to look at both visually and intellectually. $2,600
A delightful map of the British Colonies at the beginning of the eighteenth century; a map so popular as to have a nickname, i.e. the "Beaver Map." This map was drawn and published by Herman Moll. Moll was a Dutch émigré to England after 1680, who established his own business and became England's most prominent map publisher. Moll's prolific output covered a wide range from loose maps to atlases. His work was highly regarded and often copied due to the quality of detail found in his maps. Moll is particularly known for the use of wonderful decorative illustrations and fascinating text, and on no map is this more true than on the "Beaver Map." The map shows the eastern coast of North America from Newfoundland to South Carolina, and there are four insets; 'Louisiana,' 'Carolina,' North America, and Charleston. The detail of the maps is excellent, indicating and naming rivers, towns, bays, marshes, churches, roads, lakes, and other topographical features. Moll always included much text in his maps, and here he gives information about Indian tribes, political situations, and other such details. One of the notes on the map is a long description of the postal routes throughout the colonies, another describes a treaty between the English and French, and another is about the Iroquois Indians. A very elaborate cartouche is placed near the center, dedicating the map to Walter Dowglass. The crowning aspect of the map, the feature from which it derives its name, is the illustration showing beavers near Niagara Falls, "A View of ye Industry of ye Beavers of Canada in making Dams..." This view, derived from a map by De Fer, shows Niagara Falls, based on Hennepin, in the background, with a large colony of beavers in the foreground. These beavers are shown cutting down trees, and then slinging the wood over their shoulders as they march along in single file, on their hind feet, to add the wood to the dam. This anthropomorphic illustration, together with the other wonderful details of the map, make this one of the most desirable maps of North America from any age. $26,000
Herman Moll. "A New Map of the North Parts of America claimed by France..." London: H. Moll, 1720. 23 7/8 x 40 1/4. Engraving. Outline hand color. With small bits of missing surface along side folds at bottom. Expertly conserved and otherwise, very good condition.
Another important map of North America by Herman Moll (cf. above). This map of North America was of great significance in the cartographic war waged between France and England at a critical time in the struggle for empire on the continent. Moll used it to respond to Guillaume Delisle's 1718 map, which proved to be a powerful statement for French claims west of the Alleghenies and even in Carolina. Moll notes in the title cartouche of his map that he is inserting the French boundary delineations so that "Noblemen, Gentlemen, Merchants &c. who are interested in our Plantations in those Parts" could come to their own conclusions regarding these French "Incroachments" on the English lands and those of their Cherokee and Iroquois Indian allies.
Still, Moll admits his dependence upon Delisle's map for much of his geographic information, particularly in the southwest and lower Mississippi Valley regions. But Moll had other sources for the southeast, especially an unsigned and undated manuscript map notable for its accurate depiction of the Carolina back country. This manuscript, possibly by the "Mr. Berisford" mentioned in the title cartouche, gave Moll valuable information on Indian tribes, trading routes, Spanish, French and English forts and settlements, rivers, etc., that is found on no other printed map. Moll includes a few interesting comments in the region that is today Texas, stating "Many Nations on ye heads of this Branches who use Horses and Trade with the French and Spanjards."
Moll has added a beautiful baroque cartouche in which he dedicates the map to Thomas Bromsall. There are insets of Annapolis Harbor and the mouths of the Mississippi and Mobile Rivers, as well as an attractively engraved inset of "The Indian Fort Sasquesahanok," located, according to Moll, 30 miles west of Philadelphia. That location, he points out, marked a political boundary between French and English possessions on the Delisle map of 1718. For its political importance in the cartographic war between the European powers in the New World, for its wealth of information on geographical and settlement features, and for its strong decorative appeal, this map is an important historical document and a true collector's item. $6,300
Guillaume Delisle. "Carte du Mexique et de la Florida des Terres Angloises..." Amsterdam: Covens & Mortier, 1722. 18 1/4 x 23 1/2. Engraving. Original hand color. Very good condition.
An early Dutch edition of one of the most significant maps by Guillaume Delisle (1675-1726), the leading French cartographer of the eighteenth century and one of the greatest of all time. He is known as the "father of scientific cartography" for his production of maps based upon scientific principles and his role in establishing this as the standard for all cartographers. According to Tooley, "his work was highly rated, not only by his own countrymen, but by the world at large." (Maps and Mapmakers, 43), and he was certainly "the most prominent figure at the beginning of the century." (Ibid.)
With this particular map (appearing initially in 1703), Delisle offered the first relatively accurate charting of the Mississippi Valley, and thus seriously influenced the mapping of the area for over a century to come. His delineation was based on thorough research, taking advantage of information gleaned from the survivors of the La Salle expedition down the Mississippi, as well as from other important reports and explorations. For example, his use of the works of Franquelin, Joliet, and others contributed much to his vastly improved depiction of the Great Lakes. Another of the many important cartographic facts here is his depiction of California as a peninsula. Delisle was one of the first cartographers to correct the misconception of California as an island, his information based on the discoveries of Father Kino in 1698.
Delisle's precise drawing and presentation is further enhanced by the lovely title cartouche in the lower left corner. The face of a deity presides over a ring of symbols of war and abundance. Two idealized native figures flank the title, making symbolic reference to this new untouched country. Another, smaller cartouche in the upper left encases the scales of distance in French, Spanish, and English, an acknowledgment of the three major powers in the delineated area. Altogether a very handsome map and one that is a key document in the history of the mapping of America. $2,600
Johann Baptist Homann after Guillaume Delisle. "Regni Mexicani seu Novae Hispaniae, Ludovicianae, N. Angliae, Carolinae, Virginiae, et Pensylvnaiae." Nuremberg: J.B. Homann, [ca. 1725]. 18 3/4 x 22 1/2. Engraving. Full original color. Some soft creases near centerfold. Very good condition. Martin & Martin: 17.
A German version of one of the most significant maps by Guillaume Delisle (1675-1726), the leading French cartographer of the eighteenth century and one of the greatest of all time. He is known as the "father of scientific cartography" for his production of maps based upon scientific principles and his role in establishing this as the standard for all cartographers. As Tooley notes, Delisle's work "was highly rated, not only by his own countrymen, but by the world at large" (Maps and Mapmakers, 43). His reliance on firsthand information kept his maps on the cutting edge of cartographic publishing. To produce this map in 1703, Delisle compiled reports from expeditions like La Salle's down the Mississippi River, producing a map that improved greatly on its predecessors, most notably around the Great Lakes. Using information from Father Kino's discoveries of 1698, Delisle became one of the first cartographers to portray California correctly as a peninsula, not an island. With these and other improvements, Delisle offered the first relatively accurate charting of the Mississippi Valley - a cartographic accomplishment that influenced subsequent maps for more than a century.
Given Delisle's reputation, other important European cartographers relied on his map when making their own. Nearly twenty years after its initial publication, Dutch cartographer Pieter Schenk produced his copy, embellishing the original with a German Baroque title cartouche and a naval battle vignette. Using Schenk's version as a base, the German cartographic firm of Johann Baptist Homann made their own version, adding a beautifully narrative vignette of Native/European trade and Native mining. Because Homann's son, Johann Christoph, carried on his work after the elder's death in 1724, it is difficult to date exactly the maps produced under his name. In general, imprints made after 1730 feature labels like "Homann Heirs," "Heredes," "Heretiers," or "Homannischen Erben." With no such designation, this map was likely produced between 1722 (the production date of Schenk's source map) and 1730 (when J.B. Homann's son, Johann Christoph, died). An attractive, detailed map, it exemplifies the best of eighteenth century European cartography and decorative arts. $2,500
John Mitchell. "Amerique Septentrionale avec les Routes, Distances en miles, Villages et Etablissements Francois et Anglois." Paris: G.L. Le Rouge, 1756. Engravings. Eight sheets, each ca. 26 x 18 3/4. Original outline hand color. Full margins. Very good condition. Stephenson: second French edition, first impression.
An early French edition of the historically most significant map of North America, issued just a year after the first British edition. John Mitchell was commissioned by the Earl of Halifax, the president of the Board of Trade and Plantations, to produce a map defining British claims in North America. The resulting document was very much a propaganda statement, arguing for British control of most of the continent. Mitchell shows British claims to their most extreme extent, foreshadowing the future, for just seven years later the French were defeated and the British gained control of the entire eastern half of North America.
Cartographically the map is excellent, for Mitchell gathered as current and precise information as was available to him. He had access to much manuscript and documentary information, all of which he carefully laid down on this huge, detailed map. With its precise cartography and impressive size, this map had an immediate and significant impact when issued. It was universally accepted as the best depiction of North America from its first appearance right through to the end of the century, and from this comes its historic importance. It was used as the primary political document of America, called upon whenever a border dispute came up. When the negotiations to end the Revolution were concluded in Paris in 1783, it was Mitchell's map upon which the border between Canada and the United States was described, and it was used subsequently in numerous border disputes right into the early twentieth century. This map became in effect the 'official' map of North America during the last half of the eighteenth century and even into the nineteenth, as evidenced by the fact that the map hung in Congress in 1802.
This French edition was published by G.L. Le Rouge just a year after the first edition of 1755. This testifies to the impact of this map, for not only was this very quick to issue an accurate re-engraving of such a large map, but it is interesting that the French would publish a map which had such a British bias. Scarce and impressive, this is an historic document of great importance. $24,000
Matthew A. Lotter. "Carte Nouvelle de l'Amerique Angloise." Augsburg, ca. 1760. 23 1/2 x 19 1/4. Engraving. Original hand color. Repaired tear into neatline at top. Some waviness to paper and two small spots. Overall, very good condition.
A decorative German map showing the British colonies during the period between the French & Indian War and the American Revolution. Each colony is indicated with a contrasting color and is named in the title cartouche. Interior information, including Indian tribal lands, is detailed and fascinating. $1,600
Jean Janvier. "L'Amerique Septentrionale divisée en ses principaux États." Paris: Jean Lattré & J. Thomas, 1762. From Atlas Moderne. 12 x 17 3/4. Engraving. Original outline color. Very good condition.
Jean Janvier was a French cartographer who worked in Paris in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Among his output were some fine maps which appeared in Jean Lattré's Atlas Moderne. This atlas contained maps of all parts of the world engraved by Lattré, the "Graveur Ordinaire du Roi." Janvier's maps contained the best information available at the time, even though some of it was erroneous. This map of North America is a good example of this, for the information on the coastlines, islands, rivers, major cities is all excellent, yet the map features a large, non-existent lake, "Mer ou Baye De l'Ouest" in the Pacific Northwest. This large lake was a result of the mistaken belief in a Northwest Passage through the interior of the continent, and this depiction is a classic of this cartographic myth. Janvier shows the political division of the colonies of Spain, France and England, interpreted from the French point of view. The map has an elaborate and lovely title cartouche that graces the lower left corner. A wonderful map of America from the period of the French & Indian War. $575
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