"The Island and Colony of Cayenne Subject to the French, on the Continent of South America", Jefferys, Thomas

Thomas Jefferys was one of the most important English map publishers of the 18th century. His work included prints and maps of locations around the world, but his most notable maps are of North America and the West Indies. He began his career in the map trade in the early 1730s, working as an engraver for a variety of London publishers, and eventually setting up his own shop. In 1746, he was appointed Geographer to the Prince of Wales, and in 1760 he became Geographer to the King. These titles granted access to manuscripts and cartographic information held by the government. In the early 1760s he embarked on an ambitious project to produce a series of English county maps based on new surveys, but ran out of money and filed for bankruptcy in 1766. He then partnered with London publisher Robert Sayer, who reissued many of Jefferys plates and continued to issue new editions after Jefferys' death in 1771. Jefferys' American Atlas and the accompanying West-India Atlas, published post posthumously, are considered his most important cartographic works.

An attractive and detailed map of the vicinity of Cayenne extending to the Kourou River in the north and the Orapu River in the south. A key at right identifies sugar works, plantations, and Indian Nations. Several interesting notations are found on the map including "In this Quarter there is no Inhabitants but fugitive Negroes." Adorned by a decorative, rococo-style cartouche.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) G.JEF-1a #17.

Condition: A

A crisp impression on a bright sheet with a fleur-de-lis coat of arms watermark. There are some creases along the edges of the sheet, as well as archival repairs to short centerfold separations at top and bottom, and to a tear in the top blank margin.