Delisle's Seminal Map of Canada and the Great Lakes

"Carte du Canada ou de la Nouvelle France et des Decouvertes qui y ont ete faites...", Delisle, Guillaume

Delisle's map of Canada and the Great Lakes is one of the most outstanding and influential maps of the eighteenth century. The Great Lakes are portrayed correctly for the first time, and Detroit marks its debut on this map, only two years after its founding. Delisle's cartography is very meticulous and adds new information from Joliet, Franquelin, and the Jesuit explorers. It correctly positions the Ohio River but confuses its name with the Wabash River. West of the Mississippi Lahontan's fictitious Riviere Longue is prominently depicted. In Canada special attention is given to the rivers and lakes between Hudson Bay and the St. Lawrence, and Lac de Assenipoils (Lake Winnipeg) connects to Hudson Bay. Sanson's three islands of the Arctic are retained. Exquisite cartouche with a beaver, natives (one of whom is bearing a scalp), a priest, and friars, engraved by Guerard. This is the second state, with Delisle's address reading "sur le Quai de l'Horlage a la Couronne de Diamans," and with an additional note just above the distance scales.

References: Kershaw #309; Schwartz & Ehrenberg p. 135-137, Plt. 80; Tooley (Amer), p. 20, #35A.

Condition: A

A dark impression and original outline color on a watermarked sheet with a short centerfold separation at bottom and minor printer's ink residue.