Antique Map-NORTH AMERICA-USA-CALIFORNIA-JAPAN-ASIA-CANADA-Diderot-Vaugondy-1751

Description

Copperplate engraving and etching on a verge type hand laid paper with watermark, not visible on every sheet. on paper.

Size in cm: The overall size is ca. 48 x 39.5 cm. The image size is ca. 38 x 30.5 cm. Size in inch: The overall size is ca. 18.9 x 15.6 inch. The image size is ca. 15 x 12 inch.

Map 6: ‘Carte des nouvelles Decouvertes ..’. (Map of the new discoveries.) Fascinating study in the comparative cartography of the West Coast of North America and Northeast Coast of Asia, based upon Buache. The various Russian discoveries between 1731 and 1742 are shown in the upper map, including the Sea of the West and various explorers routes and notes. The bottom map is based upon a Japanese map taken by Kaempfer back to Europe. It depicts a fascinating and wholly different approach to the two regions. This map originates from the plate section. This old antique print originates from: ‘The Encyclopédie ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers, par une Société de Gens de lettres.’ which was published under the direction of Diderot and d’Alembert, with 17 volumes of text and 11 volumes of plates between 1751 and 1772. It contained 72,000 articles written by more than 140 contributors. This encyclopdia was a massive reference work for the arts and sciences, as well as a means to propagate the ideas of the French Enlightment. The impact of this encyclopedia was enormous.Artists and Engravers: Denis Diderot (1713-1784) was a French philosopher, art critic and writer. Jean le Rond d’Alembert (1717-1783) was a French mathematician, mechanician, physicist and philosopher. These plates are engraved by J.A.Defehrt and Bonaventure/Benoit-Louis Prevost after J.R Lucotte or Goussier. Gilles Robert de Vaugondy, a French cartographer with connection to the Sanson family, was born 1688 in Paris. He used Sanson’s plates and also acquired plates of Jaillot. His major work was the beautiful “Atlas Universel” first issued in 1757. He died 1766 in Paris.

Condition: Excellent. Original middle fold, as issued. Creases near fold and light creases in top right. Occasional light staining in the margins. General age-related toning and occasional light stains from handling. Please study image carefully.

Keywords: ANTIQUE MAP-NORTH AMERICA-USA-CALIFORNIA-JAPAN-ASIA-CANADA-DIDEROT-VAUGONDY

(PCOMAN) A61-19