Subject: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Period: 1775 (circa)
Publication: Le Neptune Oriental
Color: Hand Color
Size:
12.5 x 19.2 inches
31.8 x 48.8 cm
This important, early chart of the harbor shows Rio Janeiro in block plan form. All islands and coastal features with many soundings and anchorages are depicted. Across from Rio at the mouth of the Guanabara Bay is a lake named Lagoa de Pirate Ningo. Fine compass rose with fleur-de-lys and rhumb lines embellish this copper-engraved chart.
A French sailor and hydrographer, D' Après de Mannevillette (1707-1780) used new instruments to correct the latitudes measured by previous explorers. His atlas Le Neptune Oriental, first published in 1745, was considered a major achievement and an indispensable resource for navigators.
References: Shirley (BL Atlases) M.APR-1c.
Condition: B+
A crisp impression with contemporary outline color on watermarked paper. There is a light dampstain in the title and light scattered foxing, much of it confined to the blank margins.