Catalog Archive
Auction 168, Lot 414

"[Lot of 3] Carte de l'Islande, pour Servir a la Continuation de l'Histoire Generale des Voyages... [and] Carte Reduite des Mers du Nord... [and] Carte du Groenland Dressee et Gravee par Laurent", Bellin, Jacques Nicolas

Subject: Iceland & Greenland

Period: 1758-70 (circa)

Publication: Histoire Generale des Voyages

Color: Black & White

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A. Carte de l'Islande, pour Servir a la Continuation de l'Histoire Generale des Voyages... (15.2 x 11.9"). In 1752 the Danish scholar, Niels Horrebow, published an important book and map about Iceland. His map, based on the previously unpublished Knoff survey, was a major departure from previous maps based on Bishop Gudbrandur Thorlaksson's map of more than 150 years earlier. Thus, it marked a turning point in the cartography of Iceland. This is Bellin's version for Prevost's important work on voyages of exploration. The map locates villages and churches and graphically delineates the mountains, rivers, lakes and forests. A note at bottom left explains that there are only two Episcopalian villages on the island, which are so marked, and that the term "village" on this map simply identifies a location where commerce occurs when "the Danish negotiators arrive on the island." Condition: On watermarked paper with light toning. (B+)

B. Carte Reduite des Mers du Nord pour Servir a l'Histoire Generale des Voyages, dated 1758 (17.1 x 12.7"). This nice chart is centered roughly on Iceland and covers from the eastern shores of Canada through Greenland to Scandinavia and Britain. The coastlines are intricately drawn with coastal place names the only detail. A fine chart with decorative title cartouche and rhumb lines. Condition: On watermarked paper with one small rust spot at a binding trim at top left.

C. Carte du Groenland Dressee et Gravee par Laurent, dated 1770 (9.9 x 7.5"). This finely engraved chart of Greenland and Iceland shows the Davis Strait and a portion of Baffin Island in Northeast Canada. Many harbors are located on Greenland's coast with inlets and bays. Three channels are marked with dotted lines apparently demarking the three islands that were thought to make up the tip of Greenland. A small hint of the northern coast of the fictitious Frisland appears as well. Condition: Light scattered foxing.

References:

Condition: B+

Issued folding. See description above for additional details.

Estimate: $250 - $325

Sold for: $150

Closed on 6/6/2018

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