German Edition of Hennepin's Map of Eastern North America

"Charte eines sehr Grossen Landes nur Gantz Neulich in dem Mitternachtigen America...", Hennepin, Louis de (Fr.)

This is the German edition of Hennepin's significant map which focuses on the region of French influence in North America. It is most notable for its depiction of the river and lake routes into the interior and the Great Lakes region, particularly the delineation of Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron, which are a marked improvement over Sanson's maps. Even with these improvements, the lack of accuracy is very evident; the lakes are enlarged and exaggerated, Hudson Bay is too far to the east and the Mississippi River too far to the west with its mouth in what is present-day Texas. This German copy was produced one year after the French edition (1697), and while it has a German title, the place names remain in French.

Louis de Hennepin, a Franciscan missionary, accompanied LaSalle in the explorations of the Upper Mississippi. After LaSalle returned for additional supplies, Hennepin and his party were captured by Sioux Indians. While traveling with the Indians, Hennepin discovered the falls where Minneapolis now stands and named them St. Anthony Falls, in honor of his patron saint. Rescued in 1681 by Sieur du Luth (Duluth), Hennepin returned to Europe where he published accounts of his journey with some embellishments, including a claim that he preceded LaSalle to the upper Mississippi.

References: McCorkle #698.3; cf. Burden #739; cf. Karpinski, pp. 118-123.

Condition: B

Issued folding on watermarked paper and now flattened and backed with tissue to reinforce and repair numerous small fold separations and tiny edge chips and tears. There are faint damp stains in much of the image, but do not distract.