Catalog Archive
Auction 178, Lot 58

"[Lot of 2] A General Map of North America. From the Best Authorities [and] L'Amerique Septentrionale",

Subject: North America

Period: 1780-1800 (circa)

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A. A General Map of North America. From the Best Authorities, by John C. Russell, circa 1800, hand color (8.9 x 7.5"). This small map of North America possibly appeared in a later edition of Morse's American Gazetteer. It shows a somewhat developed east coast with comparatively less information west of the Mississippi. Florida is divided into East and West Florida. Texas is noted as only a city, as is the legendary Teguayo. San Francisco, Puerto de Monterrey, C. Mendocino, and Pt. Vancouver are named on the west coast. There is a large unnamed lake in present day Montana, and the Arctic Circle is indicated with a dashed line. Condition: A nice impression with light toning and offsetting. There is a 1" centerfold separation at bottom. (B+)

B. L'Amerique Septentrionale, by Anonymous, circa 1780, black & white (6.9 x 5.9"). This small French map of the continent is filled with interesting details. The map suggests a possible Northwest Passage with a R. de l'Ouest connected to a series of Canadian lakes terminating in a dotted line that leads to Cap Blanc and the Pacific Ocean. Another conjectural river flows from the Rockies to around present-day San Francisco. Nle. Albion, Quivira, Toguayo, and Sta. Fe are all identified in the present-day American Southwest. The northwestern part of the continent is labeled Nouvelles Decouvertes and is largely blank. The colonies along the east coast are bounded in the west by the Appalachians. Several Indian names appear throughout the map. There is an inset at bottom left: Supplement aux Isles Antilles. Condition: Issued folding on watermarked paper with faint offsetting and a couple worm holes along the neatline at left that have been closed on verso with old paper. (A)

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Condition:

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Estimate: $220 - $250

Sold for: $110

Closed on 6/10/2020

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