Subject: World, Oceans
Period: 1765 (dated)
Publication: Hydrographie Francoise
Color: Hand Color
Size:
34.4 x 21.5 inches
87.4 x 54.6 cm
This handsome, large-scale map on Mercator's projection stretches from California to Japan and focuses on the French spheres of influence in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The emphasis of the map is on magnetic variations and wind directions, which are depicted with tiny windheads scattered throughout the map. The continents are shown without political information, and the northwest coast of North America and the southeastern coast of Australia are incomplete. Includes a large decorative title cartouche featuring the French crown surmounting a globe that occupies the Asian continent, and an explanatory cartouche fills the South Pacific. Contains the Seal of the Depot de la Marine, indicating a later issue. The price is below the neatline at right: "Prix Cinquante Sols."
References: Phillips (Atlases) #590-2.
Condition: B+
A nice impression with light soiling, a couple of short tears along the edges of the sheet, and marginal toning.