This beautiful double-hemisphere map by Nicolas Sanson was reworked by his sons Guillaume (1633-1703) and Adrian (1639-1718) and published in 1691 by Alexis-Hubert Jaillot. The map displays some interesting cartographic myths such as California as an island and a large Terre de Iesso. In addition, the northwestern coast of North America is largely blank and the Great Lakes are in early formation. The cusps of the spheres are decorated at top with cherubs supporting the coat of arms of the Dauphin of Viennois and at bottom with mermen supporting the publisher’s cartouche. This is the first state of the fourth plate of this map.

References: Shirley #462.

Condition: B+

A nice crisp example printed on heavy paper with original outline color, reinforced with Japanese tissue on verso to repair some paper loss in the blank margins and the lower centerfold.