Ottens’ issue of de l’Isle’s large and important world map

Description

This decorative double-hemisphere map of the world demonstrates de l’Isle’s scientific approach to mapmaking and his pursuit of accuracy. Compared with other maps of the time, it is sparse on cartographic myths, while offering a wealth of fact-based information.

The map is adorned with a decorative title cartouche which reflects the stylistic transition from Baroque to Rococo, with both an allegorical representation of the continents as well as a light floral ornamentation featuring. The French royal coat of arms is at the top centre of the cartouche, with the female figure at top left representing America, the one at top right portraying Europe, and those at the bottom respectively symbolising Asia and Africa.

Notable attributes of the map include:

• California is depicted as a peninsula.
• Northwest North America is left blank, with no speculation as to possible coastlines or northwest passages.
• The Great Lakes are clearly distinguishable.
• The Mississippi River is well defined.
• In the South Pacific, New Zealand (Nle Zelande) is hinted at, with an incomplete and still misunderstood western coastline, showing Cape Maria van Diemen (Cap Marie), at the northern tip of the North Island, and Golden Bay (Baye des Assassins), at the northern tip of the South Island, in one uninterrupted line and relatively close to each other.
• Although there is a mention of Terres Australes, i.e. “Southern Lands”, just across the Antarctic Circle, no corresponding landmasses, not even speculative, are shown.
• Northeast Asia is starting to take shape, with Kamchatka identified.
• The Sea of Okhotsk appears as “Sea of Love” (Mer de Amour). 
• The Sea of Japan features under its alternative name of “East Sea” (Mer Orientale).
• The Great Wall of China is shown.
• The cartographic myth of Lake Chimay does not feature.
• Australia is shown as New Holland (Nouvelle Hollande) and with its eastern and part of the southern coastlines still missing.
• Similarly, only the southern part of Tasmania (Terre de Diemen) is depicted.

Even with de l’Isle’s cartographic precision, certain myths and misunderstandings persist, including:

• Greenland is attached to North America.
• A faint coastline in the North Pacific, accompanied by a respective note, refers to the speculative De Gama’s Land.
• In the South Pacific, Davis Land (Terre decouverte par David Anglois) is depicted.
• In central South America, Lake Xarayes (Lac des Xaraies) is shown – one of the presumed gateways to El Dorado.
• To the south of Kamchatka, Terre de la Campagnie is shown – a mapping mistake that resulted from misunderstanding and amalgamation of early Dutch explorers’ information pertaining to the coastlines of Sakhalin, the Kurils, and Hokkaido.
• New Guinea (Nouv.[elle] Guinee) is shown as attached to Australia.
• Other than featuring as the name for Tasmania, T[erre] de Diemen also appears in northern Australia.

A further, outstanding feature of this map is its extensive depiction and annotation, predominantly in the Pacific, of major explorers’ routes and discoveries. Among the notes, there is one in the very south of the South Atlantic, perhaps slightly too far, indicating the point Amerigo Vespucci had reached (“Jusquici est venu Amerie Vespuce par mer”, i.e. “Vespucchi came here by sea”).

This issue of the map does not bear an engraver’s name. Earlier issues show Berey.

An elegant French world map with plenty of content to discover.

Condition

Very good.

A strong impression on a sheet issued folding. Colouring mostly in outline, and including to cartouches and embellishments. Light, even toning, more clearly visible along platemark. Minute centrefold separation at top and bottom. A few minute tears along the edges of the sheet. Else clean.

Reference

Shirley #603

Item #: 00755

US $850.00

other currencies