"Planisphere Physique ou l'on voit du Pole Septentrional ce que l'on Connoit de Terres et de Mers...", Delisle/Buache

This uncommon and unusual thematic map is presented on a North Polar projection and depicts the tracks of several important explorers including Tasman, Halley and Magellan. The color-coding identifies which landmasses drain into the various bodies of water around the world. Inland detail is confined to rivers and major mountain ranges depicted with strong hachuring. In North America there is a large Sea of the West and a nearly complete Northwest Passage. Australia is still shown with a conjectural coastline, making it considerably too wide. The continent connects to both New Guinea and Terre du St. Esprit (the Land of the Holy Ghost), discovered by Queiroz. Engraved by Desbruslins. This is the less common first state of this map, which was later republished by Dezauche.

References: McGuirk #60; Phillips (Maps) p. 1091; Potter pp.178-9 (illus).

Condition: B+

Full contemporary color on a watermarked sheet with light soiling and some extraneous creasing along the centerfold. There are several dampstains, chips, and tears confined to the blank margins.