Catalog Archive
Auction 160, Lot 81

Rare French Wall Map Featuring Vignettes of American History

"L'Amerique Divisee en Ses Principales Parties ou sont Distingues les uns des Autres les Estats...", Bailleul, Gaspard

Subject: Western Hemisphere - America

Period: 1752 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
39.1 x 30.5 inches
99.3 x 77.5 cm
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This superb wall-sized map is surrounded by 30 vignettes depicting the history of the Americas. Each vignette is accompanied by a short description of each event, including Columbus' discovery of America, the Incan Empire, the discovery of the course of the Mississippi River, the establishment of the British in Virginia, and the conquest of Peru. Cartographically the map includes interesting elements. In North America, a large Sea of the West opens directly into the Pacific with a notation to the north that the local Native Indians confirmed that a strait connected the Arctic Sea to the Pacific. Further to the west is the partial outline of Presqu'ile du Nord Ouest with a notation that the land is a continuation of the so-called Company's Land as discovered by the Dutch. The boundaries in the western hemisphere depict the various colonial territories, with the vast majority shown under French possession. The Mississippi River is shown connecting to Hudson Bay through a series of rivers and lakes. Only a few cities are noted in North America, including Charleston, Santa Fe, and Cenis. In the far South Atlantic is a large landmass labeled Indes Meridionales with a note that it was discovered in 1503 by Binot Paulmier, who was credited by the French as the first to discover Terra Australis. The tracks of Columbus and Verrazano are shown in the North Atlantic, as well as the "usual routes" between Europe and the Americas. Printed on two sheets, joined.

References:

Condition: B+

A nice impression with very generous margins. There is original outline color in the map that has been refreshed, with later color in the border. There is very light soiling and evidence of old folds with a few short fold separations and tiny holes at fold intersections that have been professionally repaired. Overall a very nice example of this large map.

Estimate: $17,000 - $19,000

Unsold

Closed on 11/16/2016

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