Subject: Colonial Southern United States
Period: 1778-80 (dated)
Publication: Depot des Cartes et Plans de la Marine
Color: Black & White
Size:
23.1 x 34.4 inches
58.7 x 87.4 cm
Two important Revolutionary War period sea charts issued by the Depot de la Marine on an elephant folio sheet. These maps were prepared by the French Navy under Antoine Sartine, Minister of Marine, upon their entry in to the war on the American side. First is an elegant rendering of part of the Gulf Coast covering the region between St. Joseph Bay and Vermilion Bay. Numerous rivers, bays, islands and lakes are identified, as are the towns/forts of Pensacola, Mobile, Biloxi and New Orleans. The ruins of Fort la Boulaye, established in 1700 as the first French outpost, are shown (incorrectly) on the west bank of the Mississippi River below New Orleans. The second map covers the Florida Peninsula from St. Mary's River to St. Joseph Bay and south to the Everglades. It extends to include the Bahama Channel, the Bahamas, the Florida Keys and the northern coast of Cuba. Rhumb lines and coastal soundings further graphically enhance these attractive charts. Each chart has its own borders and they could be separated for framing as they are oriented opposite of one another on the sheet. They are generally not sold together.
The plans are remarkable for the amount of interior detail provided in light of their intended marine use.
References: Phillips (Atlases) #1211-3 & #1211-4; Sellers & Van Ee #1611 & 1621.
Condition: A+
A dark impression on a clean sheet of heavy, watermarked paper.