First Published Map of Pensacola Harbor

"Plan de Pansacola",

A rare, early chart of Pensacola Harbor, showing the locations of forts St. Charles and St. Rose, as well as soundings and anchorages. This is the first detailed printed map of the area, based on earlier French surveys made in conjunction with the reoccupation of the harbor from the Spanish by the French under command of Champmeslin in September 1719.

This map was included in Antoine Laval's Voyage de la Louisiane, the report by the scientist of a 1720 expedition to the Florida and Louisiana coasts, commanded by Valette-Laudun. The Valette-Laudun excursion resulted from public and governmental interest in the French colony, no doubt attributable to John Law's speculative land efforts with the Company of the West. Although the account was not published until 1728, after the collapse of the speculation, the work was by far the most comprehensive collection of Gulf Coast material of its time.

References: Howes #L147; Streeter Sale #1178.

Condition: B+

A fine impression with minor scattered foxing and light toning primarily confined to blank margins. There are remnants of hinge tape on verso.