Catalog Archive
Auction 113, Lot 167

"Carte de la Louisiane et du Cours du Mississipi Dressee sur un Grand Nombre de Memoires entrautres sur ceux de Mr. le Maire", Delisle, Guillaume

Subject: Colonial United States - Louisiana Territory

Period: 1718 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
26 x 19.5 inches
66 x 49.5 cm
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This enormously influential map of the French possession of Louisiana drew together the cartographic work of the previous half century and had a tremendous impact on the history of cartography. The map was designed for the political purpose of invalidating the English claims west of the Appalachian Mountains and laid claim to Carolina, which provoked an angry English response. However, it is the cartography of the Mississippi valley for which the map is notable today. It was the first detailed map of the Gulf region and the Mississippi, and the first to show the explorations of De Soto, Cavelier, Tonty, Moscoso and Denis. The name Texas made its first appearance in print on this map, with the legendary Mission de los Teijas that was established in 1716. Includes a detailed inset of the Mississippi delta and Mobile Bay. This is the important first issue, without New Orleans.

References: Cumming #170; Wheat (TMW) 99; Tooley (Amer) p.21,#43; Martin & Martin #19.

Condition: B

Professional infilling of worm tracks along centerfold with a few lines of expert facsimile. Original outline color has faded.

Estimate: $4,000 - $5,000

Sold for: $4,250

Closed on 12/7/2005

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