Catalog Archive
Auction 103, Lot 99

"Carte du Canada ou de la Nouvelle France et des Decouvertes qui y ont ete faites…", Delisle, Guillaume

Subject: Colonial North America - Great Lakes

Period: 1703 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
25.75 x 19.25 inches
65.4 x 48.9 cm
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Rare, first state with Rue de Cannettes imprint. Delisle's map of Canada and the Great Lakes is one of the most outstanding and influential maps of the eighteenth century. The Great Lakes are portrayed correctly for the first time, and Detroit marks its debut on this map, only two years after its founding. Delisle's cartography is very meticulous and adds new information from Joliet, Franquelin, and the Jesuit explorers. It correctly positions the Ohio River but confuses its name with the Wabash River. West of the Mississippi Lahontan's fictitious Riviere Longue is prominently depicted. In Canada special attention is given to the rivers and lakes between Hudson Bay and the St. Lawrence, and Lac de Assenipoils (lake Winnipeg) connects to Hudson Bay. Sanson's three islands of the Arctic are retained. Exquisite cartouche with a beaver, natives (one of whom is bearing a scalp), priest and friars, engraved by Guerard.

References: Kershaw #308; Schwartz & Ehrenberg p. 135-136, Plt. 80; Tooley (Amer), p. 20, #35.

Condition: B

Sharp impression with delicate outline color. Bottom re-margined with part of border reproduced in facsimile into lower longitude markings. Hinge remnants on verso. Still a very attractive example of this rare map.

Estimate: $3,250 - $4,000

Sold for: $3,750

Closed on 6/11/2003

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