"[Lot of 4 - Canada]", Bellin, Jacques Nicolas

A nice set of matching charts from Jean François de la Harpe's account of important expeditions and discoveries, published circa 1780. Each attractive map is embellished with a delicately engraved, rococo-style title cartouche.

1) Carte de la Baye de Hudson, (12 x 8.8"). Handsome chart of Hudson Bay and Labrador depicting the mountains and coastal features and including numerous forts. There is a note in French in the far northwest corner of the map explaining that the English had searched for a Northwest Passage in that region, but it did not exist.

2) Carte de l'Acadie, Isle Royale, et Pais Voisins, (13 x 8.3"). It shows in good detail Prince Edward Island, here called Isle Saint Jean, covers all of Nova Scotia including Cape Breton, and locates numerous banks south of Nova Scotia. Second state with Isle Royale added to title.

3) Carte du Cours du Fleuve de St. Laurent Depuis son Embouchure jusqu'au dessus de Quebec, (11.8 x 7.5"). This map illustrates the course of the St. Lawrence River from Anticosti Island and the mouth west to beyond Quebec. It details rocks and shoals in the river and numerous villages and forts located along the shore.

4) Suite du Cours du Fleuve de St. Laurent Depuis Quebec jusqu'au Lac Ontario, (11.3 x 7.5"). A detailed map of the region between Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River to Quebec. The map extends to Lake Champlain and Lake George, as well as Lake Nepessing in Michigan, with numerous portages named on the interconnecting waterways. There are a number of forts named, including Ft. Toronto, Ft. Oswego, and Ft. Georges.

References: Kershaw #460, 783, 627 & 632.

Condition: A

All with nice impressions and some minor damp stains in blank margins.