First issued in 1703, this richly detailed map provides the most accurate rendering of the Great Lakes of the time, with the lakes fully enclosed and properly placed in longitude and latitude. Delisle's map of Canada and the Great Lakes is one of the most outstanding and influential maps of the eighteenth century. Detroit marks its debut on this map, only two years after its founding. Delisle's cartography is very meticulous and adds new information from Joliet, Franquelin, and the Jesuit explorers. It correctly positions the Ohio River but confuses its name with the Wabash River. West of the Mississippi, Lahontan's fictitious Riviere Longue is prominently depicted. In Canada, special attention is given to the rivers and lakes between Hudson Bay and the St. Lawrence, and Lac de Assenipoils (Lake Winnipeg) connects to Hudson Bay. Sanson's three islands of the Arctic are retained. The exquisite cartouche with a beaver, natives, priest and friars, was engraved by Guerard. This re-engraved edition was published by Covens & Mortier, and is the second state of the map, remaining essentially unchanged from the first edition.

References: Kershaw #318; Tooley (Amer) p. 20 #39.

Condition: A

A sharp impression with contemporary outline color on a bright sheet with a "W M" watermark and light toning along the edges of the sheet. There is a tiny centerfold separation at bottom that has been archivally repaired.