This is a later edition of Delisle's influential map of the French possession of Louisiana that drew together the cartographic work of the previous half century and had a tremendous impact on the history of cartography. When originally published in 1718, it was the first detailed map of the Gulf region and the Mississippi, and the first to show the explorations of De Soto, Cavelier, Tonty, Moscoso and Denis. The map was designed for the political purpose of invalidating the English claims west of the Appalachian Mountains and laid claim to Carolina by the French, which provoked an angry English response. However, it is the cartography of the Mississippi Valley for which the map is notable today. The name Texas made its first appearance in print on this map, with the legendary Mission de los Teijas, established in 1716. The notation of Indiens errans et anthrophages along the Gulf Coast warns of cannibals. An inset of the Mississippi Delta and Mobile Bay fills the lower right corner. This is the Covens & Mortier edition, a re-engraving of the original plate, without New Orleans.

References: Cumming (SE) #208; Tooley (Amer) p.22, #45; cf. Wheat (TMW) #99; cf. Martin & Martin #19.

Condition: B

A strong sheet with original outline color and a good impression. There is a faint damp stain on the right that just intrudes past the border. A few small wormholes are located just under the word Illinois near the center of the map.