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Description

Fine early map of the St. Helene.

Bellin's map Plan de l'Isle Ste Helene is largely is derived from the maps of Seller and Moll. The outline of the island essentially is that portrayed by Seller, with, for example, the very pronounced 'finger' of Pointe du Nord (Sugerlofe Point of Seller and Moll). Interior features of the island, such as Vallée de Tabac, Vallée d'Orangers, and Jardins de Limons are taken directly from Seller and Moll, as are most of the coastal names.

Some corruption of place names has crept in, however, Man and Horse Point has become Pointe Manand. Bellin does add some new touches, indicating the location of the Company Gardens in the interior of the island and giving some information on the strength of fortifications; six cannon at Rupert's Fort and four cannon at what is the Northern or North Point (Sugerloaf Point) of Seller and Moll. Bellin also indicates some water depths in the Roads.

Description taken from www.bweaver.nom.sh/maps/bellin1.htm

Jacques Nicolas Bellin Biography

Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703-1772) was among the most important mapmakers of the eighteenth century. In 1721, at only the age of 18, he was appointed Hydrographer to the French Navy. In August 1741, he became the first Ingénieur de la Marine of the Dépôt des cartes et plans de la Marine (the French Hydrographic Office) and was named Official Hydrographer of the French King.

During his term as Official Hydrographer, the Dépôt was the one of the most active centers for the production of sea charts and maps in Europe. Their output included a folio-format sea atlas of France, the Neptune Francois. He also produced a number of sea atlases of the world, including the Atlas Maritime and the Hydrographie Francaise. These gained fame and distinction all over Europe and were republished throughout the eighteenth and even in the nineteenth century.

Bellin also produced smaller format maps such as the 1764 Petit Atlas Maritime, containing 580 finely-detailed charts. He also contributed a number of maps for the 15-volume Histoire Generale des Voyages of Antoine François Prévost.

Bellin set a very high standard of workmanship and accuracy, cementing France's leading role in European cartography and geography during this period. Many of his maps were copied by other mapmakers across the continent.