Catalog Archive
Auction 188, Lot 786

"Les Tablettes Guerrieres, ou Cartes Choisies pour la Commodite. Des Officiers et des Voyageurs...", La Feuille, Daniel de

Subject: Atlases

Period: 1708 (published)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
11 x 8.2 inches
27.9 x 20.8 cm
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This charming miniature atlas contains 30 folding maps of the world, the 5 continents, regions around Europe, and a military-themed engraving. Daniel de la Feuille published the first edition of his Tablettes Guerrieres in Dutch and French text in 1706, with subsequent editions in 1707 and 1708 until his death in 1709, after which point his son, Paul, continued publishing the atlas through 1726. Nearly all of the maps, with the exception of the world map and several continent maps, are surrounded by armorial shields, city views, or city plans, adding a pleasant decorative element. The most important maps, of course, are those of the world and continents:

A. Mapemonde Planisphere ou Carte Generale du Monde presents the world as a simple double hemisphere showing the island of California, partially mapped Australia and New Zealand and still a good bit of the southern continent labeled Terres Antarctiques. In the North Pacific the T. de Jesso coastline stretches between Asia and North America.
B. L'Amerique Septentrionale also features the island of California and a prominent Mississippi River with the Rio Bravo ou de Nort (Rio Grande) becoming its tributary just before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico, much too far west. The European route to and from the West Indies is also depicted. At upper left, a pictorial cartouche displays natives, a serpent and a lizard.
C. L'Amerique Meridionale shows South America with two large, spurious lakes. In the cartouche, natives offer gifts to a European trader while a rather alarming serpent looks on.
D. L'Asia presents a nearly circular Japan with some odd nearby islands and coastlines. The map is topped with a cartouche guarded by a warrior and an elephant.
E. Africa Selon les Autheurs les plus Modernes shows a quite up-to-date Africa flanked with armorial shields for major nations. The decorative cartouche depicts natives smoking and trading.
F. Europa Selon les Auth. les plus Modernes is also flanked by armorial shields for the kingdoms. The cartouche features the mythical Europa riding Zeus in the form of an aquatic bull.

There is a manuscript list of maps at the back of the volume, which lists 31 maps, although the second item listed is the military-themed engraving. Also included in the volume is a brief description of geography, an advertisement listing other publications by La Feuille, and a table of latitudes and longitudes for cities throughout the world, with particular attention to cities in Europe. Oblong 12mo. Professionally rebound in marbled paper boards with quarter calf and tips; and spine with title lettered in gilt.

References: McLaughlin #147; cf. Shirley (BL Atlases) G.FEU-1a.

Condition: B

This atlas was originally published as a tall, narrow book, with the maps folded in along the sides. The entire volume has been professionally rebound with the maps flattened and backed in archival paper, repairing separations along the folds. The maps have light to moderate soiling, light toning along the previous folds, and manuscript ink page numbers have been added at top right. The map of Italy has a small hole at top center, and the map of southwestern Germany has a small worm track at top center. The text has light toning and soiling. The new covers are slightly cockled and have a few small abrasions to the leather.

Estimate: $1,100 - $1,400

Sold for: $600

Closed on 6/22/2022

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