This very large finely engraved and beautifully hand coloured, original antique map of North America was engraved by Jean-Baptiste Bourguinon D'Anville in 1746 - the date is engraved in the cartouche - and was published in his Atlas Generale. The map is printed on 4 sheets, joined, on very heavy, clean strong paper with beautiful hand colouring.
 
To illustrate the cartography of the middle part  of the eighteenth century and especially American cartography, a D'Anville map is essential. He dominated not only the French but all contemporary geographers. He was foremost to leave blank spaces in his maps where knowledge was insufficient. His representation of the great lakes is superior to that of his contemporary John Mitchell who was responsible for publishing one of the most famous mid 18th century maps A Map of the British and French Dominions in North America on 8 sheets London in 1755. It was the standard map of North America up until the end of the century.
Eusebio Francisco Kino's discoveries of California in the beginning of the 18th century have now made full impact. D'Annville's map shows California as a peninsula and the Colorado and Gila Rivers are more accurately located. Note that the western part of the Gila River is named the "Rio Grande", the Santa Cruz River is called "Sta. Maria", and the San Pedro River is "Terenate". (Ref: Tooley, Printed maps of America, 104; The Mapping of America 316)

General Description:
Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy and stable
Paper color: - white
Age of map color: - Original & later
Colors used: - Yellow, green, blue, red
General color appearance: - Authentic
Paper size: - 37in x 36in (930m x 915mm)
Plate size: - 35in x 33 1/2in (890mm x 850mm)
Margins: - min. 2in (50mm)

Imperfections:
Margins: - None
Plate area: - Few very light spots to bottom
Verso: - None

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