French treatise on the use of globes, scientific instruments and a geography. Three volumes, bound in one, with 48 maps, charts and diagrams, some folding. Includes folding maps of the world, celestial constellations, Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and several European regional maps, most of which are partially hand colored. The maps are finely engraved with decorative cartouches.

Of interest is the map of the Americas, L'Amerique, Dressee sur les Observations de Mrs. de l'Academie Royale des Sciences, et Suivant les Memoires les Moins Suspects. Beyond the Strait of Anian, there is an incomplete landmass called Terre de Jesso that stretches to Asia with a note in the region that reads "ce pays est fort Inconu" (this land is little known). The colonies of N. Angleterre, N. Pays Bas, N. Suede, and Virginie are indicated along the east coast. Carolina is part of the massive Florida territory (or La Plaja) that dominates the southern United States. The Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of Mexico in present-day Texas. West of the Mississippi is a vast New Mexico. California is named, and Santa Fe is the only city identified in the present-day United States. At the center of South America is the mythical lake Xaraies. Fragments of New Zealand and the coast of the mysterious Terres Australes, et Inconnues are shown at bottom.

Appears complete, although there is not a list of maps. Small octavo. 372 pp.; title page; dedication; preface; index. Full contemporary leather with raised bands, gilt tooling and gilt title on spine; marbled endpapers.

References:

Condition: B

The maps have contemporary outline color, soiling, and offsetting. Text is soiled with occasional small dampstains. Some pages loose and a few are completely detached. The front hinge is starting. The covers are worn with bumped corners, and the spine is cracked with chips and abrasions.