Michelot and Bremond
1730

Plan de la Ville et Rade de Melasse (Milazzo, Sicily)

DESCRIPTION: Antique copperplate chart of Cape Milazzo, Sicily from French galley pilot and hydrographer Henri Michelot. This is one of four old charts of Sicilian ports in Michelot's and Bremond's important 37-plate atlas of 1730: “Recueil de Plusiers Plans des Ports et Rades de la Mer Mediterranee".

The town of Milazzo (Melasse) , Sicily is clearly shown surrounded by Vauban-style defensive walls and the nearby sea area is marked with sparse soundings and a few anchorages. The charts contains a feature that is unusual for these smaller plans-- labeled, keyed references to five locations in Milazzo: Le Chateau; l'Ancienne Ville; La Nouvelle; Chemin Couvert; and St. Francois. These detailed labels suggest a high level of familiarity with the area.

Henry Michelot and Laurens Bremond

Henri Michelot was an early 18th century French cartographer with a close connection to the sea. Michelot, self-described Hydrographer and Pilot of the Galere Royale or Royal Galley, was then part of a corps of approximately 40 galleys (galeres) or oared sailing vessels stationed in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coast. In the Mediterranean, galleys were based primarily at the arsenal in Marseilles, France. Galleys were typically rigged with the triangular Mediterranean "Lateen" sail(s).

Bookseller and royal hydrographer Laurent Bremond "Hydrographe du Roi et de la Ville" sold charts and maritime books from his establishment in Marseille located near the port at the corner of Reboul street ( "au Coin de Reboul").

The output of Michelot and Bremond, from approximately 1715 through 1730 consisted of an atlas of 16 small-scale charts, a port book of 37 large-scale charts, and a coast pilot of the Mediterranean: "Portulan de la Mer Mediterranee, ou Guide des Pilotes Cotiers." Their work (the "Portulan" was published in several languages at least until 1805) and was a primary source of navigational information about the Mediterranean for years. The charts of Michelot and Bremond were often copied by others such as Kitchin and Roux.

CREATOR: Michelot and Bremond

PUBLICATION DATE: 1730

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: Italy

BODY OF WATER: Mediterranean

CONDITION: Very good. Paper only very slightly tanned but strong with good platemark. Slightly browned at edges particularly at right. Strong impression and good platemark.

COLORING: Modern detailed color on the compass rose.

ENGRAVER:

SIZE: 9 " x 6 "

ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 4

PRICE: $300

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