Antique Map-AFRICA-TANIT-SENEGAL RIVER-SOUTHERN MAURITANIA-Bellin-Prevost-1746

Original antique map of a part of the African coast, from Tanit to the Senegal River, Southern Mauritania.

Made by an anonymous engraver after Jacques Nicolas Bellin.

Medium: Engraving / etching on hand laid (verge) paper. Watermark: yes.

Sheet size: 20.6 x 26.8 cm (8.11 x 10.55 inch). Image size: 14.6 x 20.5 cm. (5.75 x 8.07 inch).

Condition: good, given age. A few light brown stains in image. Irregular left edge with tiny holes from binding. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

AFRICA-TANIT-SENEGAL RIVER-SOUTHERN MAURITANIA | RB-A9-08

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Published in Prevosts 15 volumes of Histoire Generale des Voyages written by Prevost & other authors between 1746-1790. The work was published by Chez Didot in Paris in 1746. The plates and maps were by Cochin fils, Tardieu, B. L. Prevost and others.

Biography artist: Jacques Nicolas Bellin (1703-1772), was a French hydrographer and geographer. He is considered the greatest 18 th. c. French hydrographer and for 50 years he was associated with the ‘Depot des cartes et Plans’ (Depot de la Marine) as the First hydrographer of the French Royal Navy. His maps were constantly updated with the latest information and their execution magnificent. Bellin’s major works are the ‘Neptune Francois …’, the ‘Petit Atlas Maritime …’ and the ‘Hydrographie Francoise …’ As a member of a French intellectual group called the ‘Philosophes’ and he contributed 994 articles to the ‘Encyclopedie’ by Diderot/d’Alembert. He also contributed to the ‘Histoire Generale des Voyages’ by Prevost.