DESCRIPTION: A good example of Robert de Vaugondy's 1778 map of North America's English Possessions incorporating his speculative geography of the American northwest. The map covers from Hudson Bay to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Atlantic Ocean to Texas, then "Nouveau Mexique".
This map's most interesting features are in the large inset in the upper left quadrant illustrating Vaugondy's speculative geography of the American Northwest. The map features the Sea of the West (Mer de L'Ouest), the discoveries of Admiral de Fonte, the discoveries of Bernarda, the Strait of Anian, and the mythical kingdoms of Quivira and Teguaio.
There is no reliable evidence to authenticate either the existence of Admiral de Fonte himself or of the voyage. The account of de Fonte's voyage, first published in 1708, took the form of a letter by de Fonte in which he described himself as “then Admiral of New Spain and Peru, and now Prince of Chili.” The story is now attributed to the editor of the London Magazine.
Perhaps Vaugondy was attempting a bit of "fake news" and trying to muddy the waters over the English claims to North American territory by including these speculative geographic features into the map.
From Vaugondy's "Nouvel atlas portatif ". Engraved by Dussy.
PUBLICATION DATE: 1778
GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States
BODY OF WATER: Mer de l' Ouest
CONDITION: Very Good.
Solid with no major condition issues. On old laid paper with a hint of toning.
COLORING: Outline hand coloring.
ENGRAVER: Dussy
SIZE: 11
" x
9 "
ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 10
PRICE: $350
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