Small Version of a Keystone Map for Great Lakes Collections

"Canada, sive Nova Francia, &c.", Sanson, Nicolas

This is a reduced version of one of the most influential seventeenth century maps of the French and English colonies in North America. It concentrates on the region of greatest French interest. The entire Great Lakes basin and the St. Lawrence River are shown in great detail. The most important aspect of the map is the first appearance of Erie, ou du Chat as a recognizable lake on an atlas map. This delineation influenced the cartography of the region for more than 100 years and was not superceded until Delisle's "Carte du Canada" in 1703. The map is also an outstanding source for Indian tribal names and locations. Two names (Aouentsiouaeron and Attiouandarons) appear here for the first time. Lake Superior and Michigan (Lac du Puans) are left open-end to the west. Embellished with a nice title cartouche. Published by Johann Zunners.

References: Burden #325; Kershaw #139; McCorkle #679.3.

Condition: B

Issued folding, now pressed. Trimmed close to neatline at top, with a light spot and a 1.5" tear at top that has been repaired with archival materials. There is marginal soiling and a few minute tears in blank margins, one of which just enters map border at bottom.