L'Amerique Septentrionale ou se Remarquent les Etats Unis

Rare map of America by Esnauts & Rapilly, generally considered the first map to name the United States.

This large map gives a good overview of the state of geographical knowledge in North America at the end of the 18th century. The area east of the Mississippi Valley is well mapped. The United States is shown confined along the east coast, but there is already considerable settlement along the frontier. The entire western part of the continent is marked Unknown Country, with the exception of the southwestern regions that were settled by the Spanish. A western river meanders from the headwaters of the Mississippi to the blank portion of the map, alluding to the long-sought Northwest Passage. The west coast is depicted from the discoveries of the Russians and Captain Cook, with Cook's route of 1778 traced along the northwest coast. The Spanish galleon route from Manila is also depicted.

The title cartouche features ships and a sailor representing trade and commerce, and an allegorical scene of America nursing her children representing the young United States. Some restoration. Sellers & Van Ee 166; Ristow, W.W. (Amer M&M) p.61-2.