"America Septentrionalis, Concinnata juxta Observationes Dnn Academiae Regalis Scientiarum…", Lotter, Tobias Conrad

This attractive map is Lotter's version of Guillaume Delisle's foundation map of North America (1700). The Great Lakes are based on the Coronelli model showing the French strong points at Tadousac, Quebec, Fort Sorel, Montreal and Fort Frontenac. The English settlements are confined east of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers and include all the land around both lakes Erie and Ontario. French Louisiana is comprised of a narrow strip between the Mississippi and New Mexico, but stretches south to include most of present-day Texas. Numerous tracks in the Pacific show the routes of different voyages. The most interesting aspect of the map is the region of California. Delisle was the first cartographer to revert to a peninsula form for California. Lotter follows that form here, but engraved the map with a small gap at the head of the Gulf of California, still allowing the possibility of the island theory. The large cartouche features a Native American and a ship's captain. Engraved by G. F. Lotter.

References: cf Tooley (America) #34, p. 19; Sellers & Van Ee #126.

Condition: B

A sturdy sheet with original color and some irregular toning. The top left neatline has some mildew and a pair of small holes, with a repair on the verso.