This uncommon English edition of Hennepin's map of North America is most notable for its depiction of the river and lake routes into the interior and the Great Lakes region. Particularly, the delineation of Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron are a marked improvement on Sanson's open-ended versions. Even with these improvements, the lack of accuracy is very evident; the lakes are enlarged and exaggerated, Hudson Bay is too far to the east and the Mississippi River too far to the west with its mouth in what is present-day Texas. Inset depicts the Pacific Northwest, with the Land of Iesso and Japon noted very near Asia. California is not shown as an island on this example. The extravagant, pictorial cartouche more than makes up for the quite simple cartography. In 1698 a group of five booksellers published an English translation of the works of Hennepin; this is from one of those editions.

Louis de Hennepin, a Franciscan missionary, accompanied LaSalle in the explorations of the Upper Mississippi. After LaSalle returned for additional supplies, Hennepin and his party were captured by Sioux Indians. While traveling with the Indians, Hennepin discovered the falls where Minneapolis now stands, and named them St. Anthony Falls, in honor of his patron saint. Rescued in 1681 by Sieur du Luth (Duluth), Hennepin returned to Europe where he published accounts of his journey with some embellishments including a claim that he preceded LaSalle to the upper Mississippi.

References: Burden (II) #746.

Condition: A

A superb impression on a strong sheet. The map has attractive later color with a couple spots mis-applied in the map and margins.