Extra-Illustrated For the French and Indian War with Four Maps of the Upper Midwest, Louisiana, and Canada.
An imposing, extra-illustrated example of the 1757 De Vaugondy Atlas Universel, with an extensive complement of over 112 maps, including coverage of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, as well as suite dedicated to the Ancient World and one covering post routes in Europe.
The De Vaugondy Atlas Universel was published in 1757 during the French and Indian War (1754-63). While normally the atlas includes 6 maps covering all or part of North America and the Caribbean, this example of the atlas was extra-illustrated by an early owner with four seminal maps relevant to the conflict. It includes D'Anville's four-sheet map of North America Amerique Septentrionale Publiee Sous Les Auspices de Monseigneur le Duc D'Orleans; Bellin's important 1755 pair of Canadian and Great Lakes maps Partie Orientale... and Partie Occidentale de la Novuelle France ou Canada; as well as his Carte de La Louisiane et des Pays Voisins, also from 1755.
Regarding the Bellin Partie Occidentale De La Nouvelle France, we commented in a previous description:
Bellin's map of the Great Lakes is one of the cartographic landmarks of the region. Among other things, the map is noteworthy for the introduction of the islands in Lake Superior, which would remain on maps for nearly 100 years. The map summarizes the knowledge of the region as the French knew it toward the end of their occupation. It shows the river systems known to the French explorers, locates French forts and settlements, and identifies Indian Villages. The map also incorporates some of the work of Sieur de La Verendrye, the last of the great French explorers in America.
The three Bellin maps had originally appeared in 1744 in Charlevoix's Histoire et description générale de la Nouvelle France, though they were updated in 1755 as the situation in North America recaptured the focus of the French public.
Regarding the appropriateness of the Postal maps, Rumsey (3353) says:
1st edition, with five postal maps added, as issued. With the list of subscribers and the extra postal maps of England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. The French postal map is dated 1758. All five were added after the printed list of maps was printed, but are mentioned by Vaugondy in the preface, so they may have been an afterthought.
Collation
- Orbis vetus
- La Terre-Sainte
- Imperiorum antiquorum tabula in qua prae caetris Alexandi magni, &c.
- Imperium Romanum
- Britannicae insulae
- Gallia
- Germania
- Hispania
- Italia
- Graecia
- Asia minor
- Caroli magni Imperium
- Mappemonde
- Europe
- Isles Brittaniques
- Angleterre
- Ecosse
- Irlande
- Dannemark
- Suede & Norwege
- Russie Europeenne Meridionale
- Russie Europeenne Septentrionale
- France par Gouvernemens
- Picardie & Artois, Boulenois, & Flandre francoise
- Normandie
- Bretagne
- Maine & Perche, Anjou, Touraine, & Saumurois
- Oreleanois, Beauce & Gatinois
- Isle de France
- Environs de Paris
- Champagne Meridionale
- Champagne Septentrionale
- Lorraine
- Alsace
- Poitou, Saintonge, Angoumois, & Aunis
- Marche, Limosin, & Auvergne
- Berri, Nivernois, & Bourbonnois
- Bourgogne-duche, & Lyonnois Meridionale
- Bourgogne-duche, & Lyonnois Septentrionale
- Bourgogne-comte Meridionale
- Bourgogne-comte Septentrionale
- Bourdelois, Perigord, Agenois & Bazadois
- Quercy & Rouergue
- Gascogne, Basse Navarre & Bearn
- Languedoc
- Dauphine
- Provence
- Pays-Bas catholiques
- Flandres
- Brabant, Namurois Meridionale
- Brabant, Namurois Septentrionale
- Luxembourg
- Haynaut & Cambresis
- Liege & Limbourg
- Provinices-unies
- Allemagne
- Suisse
- Westphalie
- Basse-Saxe
- Haute-Saxe Meridionale
- Haute-Saxe Septentrionale
- Cercle des quatre Electeurs
- Franconie
- Souabe
- Baviere
- Autriche, Stirie, &c. Meridionale
- Autriche, Stirie, &c. Septentrionale
- Tirol
- Boheme, Silesie, Moravie & Lusace
- Hongrie
- Pologne
- Prusse
- Espagne
- Castille Meridionale
- Castille Septentrionale
- Arragon
- Portugal Meridionale
- Portugal Septentrionale
- Italie
- Lombardie Orientale
- Lombardie Occidentale
- Savoye
- Etat de L'Eglise, & Duche de Toscane
- Royaume de Naples Septentrionale
- Royaume de Naples Meridionale
- Turquie d'Europe
- Asie
- Empire des Russes en Europe, & en Asie Occidentale
- Empire des Russes en Europe, & en Asie Orientale
- Etats du Turc en Asie, & Perse
- Indies Orientales
- Archipel des Indes Orientales
- Chine
- Japon
- Afrique
- Egypte ancienne & moderne
- Amerique Septentrionale
- D'Anville's Amerique Septentrionale (in two parts)
- Partie de l'Amerique Septent. qui comprend La Nouvelle France ou le Canada
- Bellin's Partie Orientale de la Nouvelle France ou du Canada... 1755 (not photographed, but present)
- Bellin's Partie Occidentale de la Nouvelle France ou du Canada... 1755
- Bellin's Carte de La Louisane et Des Pays Voisins... 1755
- Possessions angloises en Amerique, & cours d l'Ohio
- Virginie & Maryland
- Amerique meridionale
- Isles Antilles
- Isles de S. Domingue & de la Martinique
- Carte de L'Italie
- Carte des Royaume d'Espagne et de Portugal
- Carte des grandes routes d'Angleterre, d'Ecosse, et d'Irlande
- Carte de l'Empire d'Allemagne
- Carte du Royaume de France
Gilles Robert de Vaugondy (1688-1766) and Didier Robert de Vaugondy (1723-1786) were influential figures in the realm of 18th-century French cartography. Originating from Paris, their contributions to mapmaking were significant during an era of expansive geographical exploration.
Gilles Robert de Vaugondy entered the world of cartography not through family tradition but through personal interest and the budding opportunities of his time. Born in 1688, he worked during a time when Paris was becoming a central hub for cartographic activities. Gilles often incorporated the latest findings from explorers into his maps, making them sought-after for their contemporary relevance. His connections weren't limited to his immediate circle; he frequently interacted with other key mapmakers, staying updated on the latest techniques and findings.
His son, Didier, was born in 1723 and had the advantage of growing up surrounded by maps and globes. While his father was renowned for maps, Didier made a name for himself in the field of globemaking. His globes were some of the most precise and detailed in France, gaining recognition even among the royalty. In addition to his work in cartography and globemaking, Didier had a keen interest in education, especially after the expulsion of the Jesuits from France. He stepped in to produce geographical educational materials, fulfilling a newfound need.
The maps and globes produced by the Vaugondys remain an enduring testament to the peak of French cartography during the Enlightenment. Their works, characterized by precision and the inclusion of contemporary findings, helped to shape our understanding of the world during a transformative period in European history.
Didier Robert de Vaugondy (ca. 1723-1786) was the son of prominent geographer Gilles Robert de Vaugondy and Didier carried on his father’s impressive work. Together, they published their best-known work, the Atlas Universel (1757). The atlas took fifteen years to create and was released in a folio and ¾ folio edition; both are rare and highly sought-after today. Together and individually, father and son were known for their exactitude and depth of research.
Like his father, Didier served as geographer to King Louis XV. He was especially recognized for his skills in globe making; for example, a pair of his globes made for the Marquise de Pompadour are today in the collection of the Municipal Museum of Chartres. Didier was also the geographer to the Duke of Lorraine. In 1773, he was appointed royal censor in charge of monitoring the information published in geography texts, navigational tracts, and travel accounts.
The Robert De Vaugondy Family
Gilles Robert de Vaugondy (1688-1766) and Didier Robert de Vaugondy (1723-1786) were influential figures in the realm of 18th-century French cartography. Originating from Paris, their contributions to mapmaking were significant during an era of expansive geographical exploration.
Gilles Robert de Vaugondy entered the world of cartography not through family tradition but through personal interest and the budding opportunities of his time. Born in 1688, he worked during a time when Paris was becoming a central hub for cartographic activities. Gilles often incorporated the latest findings from explorers into his maps, making them sought-after for their contemporary relevance. His connections weren't limited to his immediate circle; he frequently interacted with other key mapmakers, staying updated on the latest techniques and findings.
His son, Didier, was born in 1723 and had the advantage of growing up surrounded by maps and globes. While his father was renowned for maps, Didier made a name for himself in the field of globemaking. His globes were some of the most precise and detailed in France, gaining recognition even among the royalty. In addition to his work in cartography and globemaking, Didier had a keen interest in education, especially after the expulsion of the Jesuits from France. He stepped in to produce geographical educational materials, fulfilling a newfound need.
In terms of predecessors, the Vaugondys followed in the footsteps of notable French cartographers like Nicolas Sanson and Guillaume Delisle. The latter was particularly influential during the early 18th century, setting high standards in scientific cartography. As for competitors, the Vaugondys were contemporaries with Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville, a cartographer who, like them, was rigorous in his methodologies and had a significant influence on mapmaking during the same period.
The maps and globes produced by the Vaugondys remain an enduring testament to the peak of French cartography during the Enlightenment. Their works, characterized by precision and the inclusion of contemporary findings, helped to shape our understanding of the world during a transformative period in European history.