This scarce and significant map illustrates the controversy over the long sought-after Northwest Passage. The map was commissioned by Irish landowner, Surveyor-General, and parliamentarian Arthur Dobbs, who disputed the Hudson Bay Company's monopoly and its failed expeditions in search of a passage to the Pacific. The map was compiled from information supposedly gathered by Joseph La France, a "French Canadese Indian" (Metis) fur trapper, during his travels in the region between 1739 and 1742. The fascinating map depicts a severely truncated western unknown coast connecting to Hudson Bay at Rankin's Inlet, with another possible connection at Lovegrove's opening. An elaborate river system connects Hudson Bay with the Lake of Woods, with a short portage shown to Lahontan's famous Long River. Finally, the open-ended Lake Tahuglauk lies west of a mountain range in a region named Part of California. According to Verner & Stuart-Stubbs, "In spite of the inaccuracies of the map it remains an important contribution to the cartography of the interior reaches of central Canada."

References: Verner & Stuart-Stubbs #21; Kershaw #422.

Condition: A

Superb impression. The map has been backed to reinforce the typically fine paper, and the right binding side has professionally extended, not affecting the map at all.