Subject: Colonial Midwest
Period: 1703 (circa)
Publication: Nouveaux Voyages de M. le Baron de Lahontan dans l'Amerique Septentrionale
Color: Black & White
Size:
26.2 x 11 inches
66.5 x 27.9 cm
This is one of the most influential, and fanciful, maps in American cartographic history. It purports to show the Riviere Longue flowing from the western mountains, home to the Gnacsitares Indians, and connecting to the Mississippi River. On the western side of the mountains is another river, presumably flowing into the Pacific. Lahontan's concept was copied by virtually all 18th century cartographers including Moll, Senex, Popple, and Delisle, thus perpetuating the myth. The map also includes balloon-shaped Lakes Superior and Michigan. This is the scarce first state without a longitudinal scale at the top.
References: Kershaw #298; Verner & Stuart Stubbs #20;Lemmon, Magil & Wiese (LA) #14.
Condition: B
Lower left corner or map has been professionally replaced with facsimile of border and latitudinal scale and a couple of mountains. Light toning along fold with faint offsetting.