Catalog Archive
Auction 126, Lot 301

"La Riviere du Detroit Depuis le Lac Sainte Claire jusqu'an Lac Erie", Bellin, Jacques Nicolas

Subject: Michigan, Detroit

Period: 1764 (circa)

Publication: Petite Atlas Maritime

Color: Black & White

Size:
12.5 x 8.2 inches
31.8 x 20.8 cm
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This fine map is the first printed map of Detroit. It was published after the French lost control of the Great Lakes forts to the British during the French and Indian War. It is based on two manuscript maps by Joseph Gaspard Chaussegros de Lery; "Plan du Fort Detroit" (1749) and "La Riviere du Detroit" (1752). The map depicts the Detroit River between Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair with farms along both banks, the location of the fort, settlements and Indian villages. The inset plan of the fort delineates the various streets and buildings within the fortification and shows the garden outside of its protective walls. Rococo-style title cartouche with distance scale.

References: Tooley (Amer) p. 210 #114; Sellers & Van Ee #777; Karpinski (MI) p.154-5.

Condition: B+

Good impression on a thick sheet of hand laid paper with very wide margins and large watermark. Some marginal foxing with a couple spots rudely entering the map.

Estimate: $1,000 - $1,200

Sold for: $950

Closed on 12/3/2008

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