"Amerique ou Nouveau Continent Dressee sur les Nouvelles Relations…", Nolin, Jean Batiste

Very handsome and rare map of the Americas decorated with a large title cartouche depicting two Indians smoking a peace pipe and preparing smoke signals. The cartouche is embellished with huge flowering plants that conveniently obscure the northwest coast of North America. However, an inset at bottom completes the picture with the Delisle/Buache theories of a Northwest Passage. This is a later edition with the tracks of several recent explorations shown throughout the oceans. Panels of French text describe the various nations. Originally by Nolin, the map was "corrected and augmented" by L. Denis and published by Basset. Overall size with text on each side of map is 26.5 x 18.5".

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Condition: C+

Watermarked paper with faded original outline color. There are some minute worm holes and tracks, soiling, faint damp stains, and small rust spots in and near title cartouche. There is a long horizontal crease with a small hole at center that has been closed on verso with old linen, a couple of tiny holes just below title cartouche, and an archivally repaired tear that just enters text panel at left. The map features an interesting and decorative method for display; it has been surrounded by a red and black painted border, and old linen loops have been attached at each corner for hanging purposes. The borders appear to be quite old, as evidenced by the damp stains, small cracks and worm holes.