Subject: World
Period: 1784 (circa)
Publication: Atlas Universel...
Color: Hand Color
Size:
25.4 x 15.1 inches
64.5 x 38.4 cm
This finely engraved double hemisphere map is surrounded in a rococo style frame in the elaborate French style. The unusual map is presented on a projection centered on the Tropic of Cancer for the Western Hemisphere and the Tropic of Capricorn in the Eastern Hemisphere. In North America, the northwest coast includes the conjectural geography of Philippe Buache with the Sea of the West and a Northwest Passage. Within the United States only a handful of cities are identified: Boston, New Orleans, Charleston, New York, Santa Fe, and F. Louis (Mobile, Alabama). In the Eastern Hemisphere, Australia and New Zealand are yet to be completely mapped. Novaya Zemlya has an incomplete coastline and is partially attached to the continent. Terre d' Yesso (Hokkaido) is rendered with a partial coastline as well and is connected to the mainland. Above the hemispheres, a figure holds up outstretched hands to a beam of light inscribed with the words Fiat Lux ("Let there be light"). Below the map are columns of French text. This is Santini/Remondini's edition of Boullanger and Lattre's map of 1760.
References: McGuirk #161; Phillips (A) #647-2.
Condition: A
A dark impression and original outline color on a sturdy watermarked sheet with light damp stains along the bottom of the sheet bottom that do not enter into the map image.