L'Amerique Septentrionale ou se Remarquent les Etats Unis
L'Amerique Septentrionale ou se Remarquent les Etats Unis
BRION DE LA TOUR, Louis

L'Amerique Septentrionale ou se Remarquent les Etats Unis

Paris
Esnauts et Rapilly
1779
Size : 70 x 50,5 cm
Color : Coloris original
Condition : Bon
Reference : CPV-KT-1
€5,500.00

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Description

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.

BRION DE LA TOUR, Louis

Louis Brion de la Tour was an engineer and the geographer to the King of France, he was also an engraver and draughtsman active in Paris between 1756 and 1803.  He specialized in postal routes and collaborated with Desnos. In 1776, he signed his own map of France's post offices with the name Brion. This map was reissued under the Empire and Restoration under the name Brion de La Tour. 

He was the author of an Atlas général, civil et ecclésiastique that was published in its first edition in 1766, of several works with maps, including a Voyage dans les départements de la France, 1792-1802, and an Atlas géographique et statistique de la France (1st ed., 1802).

Louis Brion de la Tour is to not be mistaken for his son also named Louis who was an engraver and draughtsman active till 1823.

Source : IdRef - Identifiants et Référentiels pour l'ESR