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Description

Rare 3-sheet separately issued map of the World, published in 1786 by Louis Brion de la Tour.

Rare re-issue of Jaugeon's decorative map of 1688. The large double hemisphere world map is set in an elaborate border incorporating the signs of the zodiac, wind points, lunar and other astronomical and astrological dials. The title runs across the upper margin.

The map incorporates over 60 windheads and a number of different celestial models, along with a troika of models of the Universe at the bottom center, including the models of Copernicus, Ptolemy and Tycho-Brahe and a model showing the phases of the moon during a 28 day lunar cycle at the top center.

The map itself has been significantly modified and updated, focusing on the discoveries of Captain James Cook, during his 3 voyages to the Pacific, with the courses of each voyage depicted. Hawaii appears on the map (Sandwich Islands), as do the two islands of New Zealand (pre-dating the discovery that New Zealand was actually 3 major islands), and substantially updated improved model for Australia, focusing on Cook's discoveries along its east coast. Cook's observations on glacial ice and icebergs are shown both in the Behring Straits and in the South Polar Waters.

 

 

Condition Description
3 sheets, joined as issued. Several repaired tears in the right lower section, one to the right of Levante and the constellation triangle, one above the constellation Ladorade and one extending through D"Orizons, all expertly repaired on the verso.
Louis Brion de la Tour Biography

Louis Brion de la Tour (ca. 1743-1803) was a French geographer and demographer. Little is known about Louis’ early life, but some glimpses of his professional life survive. He did achieve the title of Ingénieur Géographe du Roi. Much of his work was done in partnership with Louis Charles Desnos, who was bookseller and geographical engineer for globes to the Danish Crown. He worked on the Indicateur fidèle ou guide des voyageurs, qui enseigne toutes les routes royales between 1762 and 1785. During his career he also worked on several atlases. By 1795, he had gained a pension from the National Assembly. Perhaps this pension was granted in part because his son, also Louis Brion de la Tour (1763-1823), was an engraver who made Revolutionary prints, as well as maps.