This sea chart of the western coast of France shows detailed navigational information including water depths and anchorages, and is filled with place names along the coastline. The remainder of the map is filled with two 16-point compass roses with gilt highlights on fleur-de-lis, rhumb lines and wind direction arrows. A large cartouche contains the title in French and Dutch with three distance scales.

Gerard Van Keulen was the son of Johannes Van Keulen, patriarch of perhaps the most prolific of all Dutch map making families. The family firm commenced in 1680, but it was Gerard who brought it to its full glory in the 18th century. A talented engraver and mathematician, and later Hydrographer to the East India Company, Gerard became the mainspring of the business, issuing many important charts and books on all aspects of geography, navigation, etc. Until the opening of the Dutch Hydrographic Office in the 19th century, the Van Keulen firm issued what were regarded as the official Dutch sea charts.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) M.KEU-3b, #53.

Condition: B+

There are a few spots of printer's ink residue and some minor cracking just above the distance scale due to the oxidation of the original green pigment, which has been repaired on verso with archival material. Light soiling along the edges of the sheet.