These are the northern two sheets of D'Anville's four-sheet map of North America and the West Indies, which was one of the best French maps of North America prior to the French & Indian War. D'Anville was the Royal Geographer and Cartographer to the King of France. He followed Delisle as the chief proponent of scientific cartography, and his influence on his contemporaries was profound. Because he had direct access to the many official French records of North America his maps are known for their excellent detail and clearly presented information. This map provides good information in New Mexico and the Mississippi and Missouri River Valleys. A remnant of Lahontan's fabled Grande Rivier is retained west of Lac du Bois. The region of the Ohio River Valley and below the Great Lakes reflects the superior knowledge of the French in these regions. The newly formed colony of Georgia appears squeezed between South Carolina and the Spanish claims to Florida. The map names Tecas in addition to many other place names, Indian tribes, and forts. At upper left is an inset of Hudson and Baffin Bays. Map engraved by Guillame Delahaye, decorative cartouche drawn by Graevlot and engraved by Major.

References: Karpinski (MI) p. 138; Lowery #381; Tooley (Amer) pp. 316-17; Tooley (MCC-68) #103.

Condition: A

Overall a crisp impression on clean, bright sheets with the watermark of a small church and minor soiling.