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Fine example of the rare first state of D'Apres De Mannevillette's chart of the Indian Ocean, from his Neptune Orientale, in full original publisher's color.

This fine large format map of the Indian Ocean is one of the most detailed and accurate general charts of the Indian Ocean published in the second half of the 18th Century and, in this respect, represents a milestone of Enlightenment cartography, which strived for clarity and precision. The map embraces the entire Indian Ocean from around 38 degrees South up to its northernmost reaches (the Red Sea) and 34 degrees North; longitudinally, it extends from the Cape of Good Hope, in the west, all the way to include the shores of nearly half of the continent of Australia in the east.

The overall impression is of an accurate general map, familiar to the modern eye. This was the result of the careful compilation of charts form the best sources, combined with recently acquired geodetic positions taken by the crews of French Navy vessels. Generally, the mapping of India is taken from a variety of the best European sources, including French, Portuguese, Dutch, and English maps. The mapping of Africa and Arabia largely derives from Portuguese sources, and Dutch charts were used to delineate the shores of Southeast Asia and Western Australia.

This chart appeared at and just after an interesting period of French involvement in the Indian Ocean and its basin and therefore would have been considered highly useful by a variety of stakeholders. From 1742, the India division of the Compagnie Perpétuelle des Indes (essentially the French Colonial Company), was headed by Joseph-François Marquis Dupleix, who would mount an aggressive campaign against the British and their Indian allies for control of the subcontinent. While his endeavors came to a precipitous end in 1754, Dupleix's activities were historically consequential and melodramatic.

Meanwhile, from 1735 onwards, the first French governor-general of the Mascarene Islands, Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais, was undertaking endeavors to colonize Isle de France (now Mauritius), Île Bourbon (Réunion) and Séchelles (Seychelles). Madagascar was also of great interest, as from 1720, it had been the pirate capital of the world, praying on European, Arab and Mughal shipping.

The chart builds on a number of earlier charts by Bellin and an earlier edition of Mannevillette's chart. While there are several similar and smaller maps that cover the same region, this map is the largest of the series and captures more of Australia than Mannevillette's smaller chart of the Indian Ocean, published in 1775. 

Explanation of Colors

A note in French on the second state of the map includes the following explanations of the colors:

The blue color [although more greenish on this map] indicates the extent of the seas where winds prevail throughout the year from the southeast, from the 8th degree of south latitude to the 28th, and from the island of Madagascar to the coasts of New Holland. These winds are called the Trade Winds and vary so rarely that they prevail not only over the eastern seas but also throughout the southern seas, between the Equatorial Line and the 30th degree.

The yellow color, along with the red, indicates opposing wind patterns and their alternation due to monsoons or seasonal changes. In the first case, this applies beyond the Equator. The east monsoon begins in April and ends in October, while the west monsoon extends from April to April.  In the Mozambique Channel, as well as in the Indian Archipelago, the winds during winter and summer fluctuate, shifting direction periodically. At the start of the year, they move from the west, then gradually shift to the east and north. On the western coasts, they change from east-southeast toward the west.

The red color also marks the monsoons of the Northern Hemisphere. The northeast monsoon begins in April and ends in October. These equinoctial winds shift from the southwest. Inside the continents, the general winds continue to prevail even in summer until the northern winds return during the summer months.

The green color [top right, east of the Philippines] indicates the regions where the northeast trade winds resume their influence.

The white shading indicates areas of the eastern seas where there is no significant wind variation in either summer or winter.

Rarity

This state of the chart is very rare on the market.