Catalog Archive
Auction 165, Lot 729

"Carte Generale des Decouvertes de l'Amiral de Fonte Representant la Grande Probabilite d'un Passage au Nord Ouest", Robert de Vaugondy, Didier

Subject: North Pacific Ocean

Period: 1772 (dated)

Publication: Diderot's Encyclopedie (Supplement)

Color: Black & White

Size:
14.6 x 11.4 inches
37.1 x 29 cm
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This is probably the most extravagant of all the Northwest Passage maps based on the Jefferys model. Thomas Jefferys was an ardent believer in the northern route to Asia through a passage described by Juan de Fuca in 1592 and in the fictitious story of Bartholomew de Font's discoveries in 1640. Alaska is shown in an early, peninsular form based on the map of Mueller. This map is from a series prepared by Didier Robert de Vaugondy to illustrate the articles written by Samuel Engel concerning the recent discoveries and cartographic theories in the northern regions.

References: Pedley #455 and pp. 74-78; cf Hayes. pp. 26-27.

Condition: B+

Issued folding on watermarked paper with faint offsetting and minor toning and foxing primarily along the sheet edges. A binding trim at lower left has been replaced with old paper.

Estimate: $140 - $170

Sold for: $50

Closed on 11/15/2017

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