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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
Herman Moll. "To the Right Honourable John Lord Sommers...This Map of North America according to ye Newest and most Exact observations." London: H. Moll, ca. 1715. 22 3/4 x 38. Engraving. Outline color. Full margins. Very good condition.
One of Moll's impressive, very large maps issued at the beginning of the eighteenth century. This map shows North America as it was known at the time. Detail of rivers, lakes, cities, and so forth is excellent. The map is quite accurate in parts, but it is for its myriad geographic myths that the map is most interesting. To the north, Moll is quite conservative in showing the long-sought-for Northwest Passage, indicating that Hudson's Bay did not have an opening to the west and only showing the entrance of the postulated Straits of Anian. Moll is not so accurate in the middle part of the continent, where he shows Baron Lahontan's mythical geography of the Long River and the lake and river of the Mozeemleck Indians. Even more prominently Moll shows California as an island, a cartographic error that lasted over 100 years. These geographic features are nicely complimented by the large, decorative cartouches that appear above the ten inset detail maps. The title cartouche is elaborately drawn showing native Indians including an Eskimo family. Below this is an engraved view of a Cod production plant on Newfoundland. An historically and decoratively wonderful map by one of the leading cartographers of his day. $4,200
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. Original outline color. With some wear along left fold; expertly conserved. Else, very good condition. Denver.
Herman Moll, a Dutch émigré to England after 1680, established his own business and became England's most prominent map publisher. 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. $6,500
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 and two tiny worm holes. Very good condition. Martin & Martin: 17. Denver.
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. CS On Approval
Guillaume Delisle. "Carte de la Louisiane et du Cours du Mississipi." From Jean Frederic Bernard's Recueil de Voiages au Nord. Amsterdam: J.F. Bernard, 1734. Engraving. 13 7/8 x 15 3/4. Very good condition. Denver.
A slightly reduced version of Guillaume Delisle's seminal map of North America from the first part of the eighteenth century. Delisle 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. Delisle's maps had an immense impact on the history of cartography, and none more so than this map which was first issued in 1718. It is seminal in the history of the mapping of America exactly because of Delisle's pioneering method and attitude. It was based on years of research, using all the latest reports of travels, explorations and surveys in the region. Delisle was particularly well placed with respect to gathering information on North America, for with his connections in the French court, especially within the Ministry of Marine, he had access to all the official and unofficial reports coming out of New France. It is not surprising, then, given Delisle's method and connections, that this map is so important in the cartographic history of the continent.
This map is Delisle's final statement on the mapping of America and one of the most influential American maps ever produced. It is a map of superior delineations and many firsts. It contains the first indications of the explorations of De Soto, Cavelier, Tonty, Moscoso and Denis. It includes the best depiction of the Mississippi River of the first part of the eighteenth century, as Delisle for the first time presented a roughly accurate delineation of its entire length as well as a semblance of accuracy about many of the tributaries such as the Ohio, the Missouri, the Platt, and the Arkansas. It is on Delisle's map that the name Texas first appeared in print, with the legend "Mission de los Teijas," indicating a mission established in 1716. This version, from Bernard's Voiages, is slightly reduced but otherwise a duplicate of the first edition It is a nice example of one of the great maps of North America; both an historic glimpse at and a significant part of our continent's history. $2,400
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
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. Denver.
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
Thomas Kitchin, Sr. "A New Map of North America from the Latest Discoveries." From Smollett's History of England (1760) and later used in other books as well as the London Magazine (1763). London, 1761-[1763]. Line engraving. "J. Spilsbury sculp." Outline hand color. Hinge and former folds, as issued. 10 3/4 x 14 1/2 (neat lines) Very good condition. Ref.: McCorkle, 761.3; Jolly I: Lond 222.
Tobias Smollett's encyclopedic history included many prints and maps of ancient history, but by bringing the narrative up to date, new and immediate reporting was included, and this map is a splendid example. The first edition of the large book was issued from 1760 to 1761, and this and other illustrations were added as fascicles were printed. It later appeared in other publications.
The British journal, London Magazine, was the source of some of the most important and elegant maps and views of colonial America. During the eighteenth century the English gentleman was kept well informed through fine visual images, as well as articles, about the latest activities in the developing colonies of North America. The most up-to-date, authoritative sources were used, making for the dissemination of, and subsequent preservation of, some of the finest early historical documents about America. This was especially true during the French & Indian War. The readers in England would have been hungry for news, textual and visual, of this important conflict across the Atlantic, and publications such as London Magazine would have provided an eagerly awaited source.
This map shows the main theater of the war during the first years, 1756 plus. The mapmaker, in our opinion, is Thomas Kitchin, a prominent English cartographer of the period, and Hydrographer to the King, who had access to the best information then available. The clarity of the engraver's name, Spilsbury, indicates an early issue, since the name was burnished out of the plate but remained very lightly in later issues. The region depicted includes all the established British colonies from French Canada to Spanish Florida. The most outstanding visual features are the east to west parallel borders of Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia extending not only to the Mississippi River but also beyond indefinitely or to the Pacific Ocean set in 1609. Pennsylvania is bordered at Lake Erie with the lands farther west designated for Native Americans. This is a wonderful map of the central events early in the French & Indian war. $900
John Reid. "A General Map of North America drawn from the best surveys 1795." From American Atlas. New York: John Reid, 1796. State 2. Engraving by [John] Scoles. 14 1/4 x 18. Light outline color. Very good condition. Wheat & Brun: 57. Denver.
This fascinating map of North America on an equal-area projection depicts from the Bering Straits and Baffin's Bay in the north to present-day Honduras and the entire West Indies in the south. The United States is shown containing fifteen states with a dotted line paralleling the Mississippi River denoting the western boundaries. Very little information is given to the vast area that would soon be the Louisiana Purchase, while the Spanish possessions labeled "New Mexico" and "New Spain" are well documented. The border between Canada and New England is vague. The map was prepared originally for John Reid's American Atlas which accompanied William Winterbotham's History of America. $750
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