Catalog Archive
Auction 188, Lot 41

"Hemisphere Septentrional pour voir Plus Distinctement les Terres Arctiques", Delisle, Guillaume

Subject: North Pole

Period: 1714 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
17.7 x 17.9 inches
45 x 45.5 cm
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This important map of the Northern Hemisphere is drawn with Delisle’s characteristic scientific approach. This is the first map to correctly place the west coast of North America, moving it substantially east from previous mapping. California is shown as a peninsula at a time when it was often still shown as an island, even in other maps drawn by Delisle, although a dotted line still hints at the possibility of the island form. Near the northern coast of Asia is Terre de la Compagnie with a note about its discovery by Jean de Gama. Delisle based his depiction of the Northern Pacific on the voyage of Fondant in 1709.

References: Wagner #504.

Condition: A

A crisp impression with contemporary outline color on paper with a Society of Jesus watermark and minor offsetting. There is light soiling and some chips and tears in the margins that have been repaired with archival materials.

Estimate: $450 - $550

Sold for: $275

Closed on 6/22/2022

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