"L'Amerique Septentrionale Dressee sur les Observations de Mrs. de l'Academie Royale des Sciences. & Quelques Autres, & sur les Memoires les Plus Recens", Delisle/Covens & Mortier

This is Pierre Mortier's re-engraved version of Delisle's foundation map of North America. It is nearly identical to the Delisle map, with California returned to its peninsular position rather than as an island. Cape Mendocino is the farthest northern point in California, and the northern portion of the continent is left blank. The Great Lakes are well-defined, based on Coronelli, with French forts noted. The English settlements are confined east of the Allegheny Mountains, and Spanish forts are clustered around Santa Fe. The Mississippi River valley is well developed with recent French settlements. The first mention of what would be called the Sargasso Sea is noted in the North Atlantic. The map is decorated with an aquatic-themed figural cartouche and a draped scale of miles. Latin title above the neatline, "America Septentrionalis in suas Praecipuas Partes Divisa, ad Usum Serenissimi Burgundiae Ducis."

References: Tooley (America) p.19, #33; Philips (A) #580-56; cf. Wheat (TMW) #79.

Condition: B

A crisp impression with contemporary outline color in the map and later color in the cartouches, on a moderately toned sheet with a small "W. M." watermark. There is minor offsetting and a few spots caused by paper flaws. Centerfold separations at top and bottom and several short edge tears have been closed on verso with archival tape.