This is an early edition of this large, double-hemisphere map and illustrates this famous French cartographer's crisp, elegant style. The title cartouche is centered on the French royal coat of arms and allegorical female representations of the four continents. Another cartouche contains Delisle's imprint with his address at Quai de l'Horloge, where Delisle moved in 1707. The map is up-to-date for the period with the most recent exploration routes charted in the oceans, including those of Tasman and Dampier. In keeping with Delisle's desire for accuracy, the Pacific Northwest coast of North America is left blank above C. Mendocin, there is no evidence of Antarctica, and only a partial coastline of New Zealand is depicted. Delisle used accounts from French explorers and colonizers of the Gulf of Mexico region. He also had access to accounts from survivors of La Salle’s expedition in the late 1680's. Despite his efforts to produce highly accurate maps, this map shows New Guinea connected to Australia, and it appears that Japan is connected to the mainland (Terre de Yeco) to the north. In addition, Terre de la Compagnie appears to the northeast of Japan with a partial outline continuing in the western hemisphere accompanied by a note regarding its discovery by Dom Jean de Gama. Engraved by Berey.

References: Shirley #603.

Condition: B+

A crisp impression with contemporary outline color in the map and later color in the cartouches, on a bright sheet with a Society of Jesus watermark. There is very light soiling in the image and moderate soiling in the margins, as well as toning confined to the edges of the sheet.