This is the uncommon first state of this handsome map of the Americas. Gilles Robert de Vaugondy succeeded his uncle, Pierre Moullart-Sanson, and thus based many of his maps, including this one, on the large volume of accumulated records of the Sanson family. In North America, the colonies are in a somewhat odd configuration along the eastern seaboard. Spanish Florida extends north into present-day Georgia, and its southern tip is broken into several small islands. A vast Louisiane territory spreads east beyond the Mississippi. The northwest coast of North America is not delineated, with only a vaguely defined inlet north of Nlle. Albion. Quivira and Teguaio habite par les Teguas appear north of Nouveau Mexique. This state pre-dates Bellin's influential map of the Great Lakes (1755), which became Robert de Vaugondy's model on later maps of North America. In South America, the mythical Lagoa de los Xarayes appears in Paraguay. The two large insets of Hispaniola and Martinique focus on the major centers of French commerce in the Americas. The first state features Gobin's striking cartouche, which shows an Indigenous figure accepting Christianity amidst a scene of native flora and fauna. A panel of French text at right breaks down the various colonial possessions and religious denominations in the Americas. Engraved by Delahaye. This example is a rare wall map edition, mounted on contemporary linen and attached to modern rollers.

References: Pedley #19.

Condition: B+

Contemporary outline color with light soiling, minor uneven toning, and light scattered foxing that is mostly confined to the panel of text at right. There are a few short, archivally repaired tears in the top border, and one in the title cartouche. The rollers are in very good condition with minor wear.