George Louis le Rouge (fl. 1740-80) was one of the great French cartographers, rising to become the Geographer to the King. He was a military engineer prior to his career as a cartographer and his maps reflect the scientific approach that distinguish French mapmaking. This is an uncommon set of maps with an interesting combination of styles.

1) Mappe Monde qui Comprend les Nouvelles decouvertes faites jusqua ce jour, (11.7 x 8.6") Charming double hemisphere map with the female representations of the continents adorning each corner. The northwest part of North America is nearly blank except for a complex river and lake system alluding to a Northwest Passage. Nouvelle Hollande is shown with the known coastlines connected between the mainland, Tasmania and New Guinea, creating an oddly shaped landmass.

2) L' Amerique Septentrionale, (8.1 x 10.7") This map of North America displays a very interesting theory concerning a Northwest Passage. The most prominent feature is a River of the West, which connects Lake Superior with the Lake of the Woods and Lake Winnipeg and then flows off the map supposedly to the Pacific. It also links through a system of streams and lakes to Hudson Bay.

3) Amerique Meridionale, (10.7 x 8.1") This attractive map of South America provides information on the various Indian tribes, mines, forts, and major cities.

4) L'Afrique Suivant les Nouvelle Observations, 1748, (11.2 x 9") This small map of the continent identifies the political divisions by tribal name. Lake Malawi is shown with a string of central islands. A mounted horseman and several elephants adorn the title cartouche.

5) L'Asie Avec les Nouvelles decouvertes, (10.6 x 8.5") This map of Asia extends to include Japan, the Philippines and the East Indies. A small inset shows the island of Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands. North of Japan there are partial coastlines for Terre de Yeso and Terre de la Compagnie. The pictorial title cartouche features a military procession.

6) L' Europe Suivant les Nouvelle Observations, 1746, (11.3 x 8.3") A handsome map showing the major political divisions and extending to include Iceland. Decorated with a military-theme cartouche.

References:

Condition:

The world map has been remargined to accommodate framing. There are old paper repairs on the fold of the map of North America. The other maps are all fine.