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Description

Rare (unrecorded) variant edition of Jailot's map of North America, naming and showing the United States based upon the Treaty of Peace, of 1783. A later state, with the date abraded.

Jaillot originally published a 2 sheet map of North America in 1674, which was thereafter issued for the next 50 years, with revisions, and later copied by Mortier. This first map was based upon the earlier maps of Nicholas Sanson, with California shown as an island and a set of open Great Lakes. In 1695, Jaillot published a new single sheet plate for his L'Atlas Francois. Burden notes that by this time, Jaillot's relationship with the Sanson heirs was strained and many of the maps in this production were from new or original sources. Several minor date changes were made to the plate in 1698 and 1700.

Perhaps the easiest way to quickly distinguish this 1695 (and later) editions of Jaillot's map, is by the inclusion of the two parrots at each side of the title cartouche, which was engraved by the noted cartouche engraver C. Simoneau. The map also includes a unique dedication to the King, which differs from the other Jaillot and Morter maps.

In 1713, a 4th state of the map was engraved, in which the map was extensivly revised, bringing it in line with the contemporary cartography of Guillaume De L'Isle and Nicholas De Fer. The depiction of the Great Lakes was updated to conform to De L'Isle's map of 1700 and the course of the Mississippi (erroneously based upon La Salle's report, which placed the mouth of the Mississippi in Texas, several hundred miles west of its true terminus) and Ohio Rivers were included for the first time on a Jaillot map, again following Jaillot's model. Additional information was included in the Southwestern US, most notably the addition of the Rio De Las Vacas, in Texas. The Rio Grande is now properly shown flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. The British Colonies in North America are now shown.

In 1719, Jaillot added two significant updates. First, California was re-attached to the mainland, ending its 45 year run as an island on Jaillot's maps. In addition, Jaillot for the first time revises the east coast of North America, including the French claim to Caroline (the Carolinas), Mariland, Pensilvanie and Nouv.York. The reference to Terra Iesso has also been removed.

After Bernard-Jean-Hyacinth Jaillot's death in 1739, his daughters conducted the business until 1757. The business was then taken over by Jean Baptiste Michele Renou de Chauvigne, who ran the business until about 1780. In 1780, following his death, the plates were sold to Jean Claude Dezauche and Louis Charles Desnos, who revised the map and issued a 6th State in 1781 and then a final, highly revised state in 1783.

This final state of 1783 is perhaps the most fascinating. having been extensively revised by Brion de La Tour, to incorporate new information following the creation of the United States and the Treaty of Peace of 1783. Among the major changes are:

  • A very early appearance of the name "United States" (Etats-Unis) on a printed map (both in the title and eastern sea board).
  • Redrawing of the Louisiana Border to track the Mississippi River, with an annotation in the gulf regarding the location of this boundary.
  • The additions of the words Nouvelle Albion, Quivera and "Suivant Drake" in California, along with new Indian names and the names of the Missions.
  • New Northwest Coast of America, with references to Juan de la Fuca and Martin D'Aguilar.
  • An annotation at the northern extreme of the Mississippi River noting that the source is unknown.
  • The shape of each of the 5 Great Lakes is signficantly improved.
  • The names of many of the British Colonies (now states) are shown, along with a massive Florida Occidentale and Florida Orientale.
  • Dozens of new place names are added along the Atlantic Coast.
  • The Appalacians are completely redrawn (mostly removed).
  • The massive Florida has been replaced with a sweeping location of Virginia, dominating the Ohio Valley.

Rarity

This is the second time we have offered the map in the past 31 years (1992-2023).

Condition Description
Right margin and parts of the right image just inside the printed image, expertly reinstated.
Reference
Burden II, #709 (State 7). Karpinski, L.C. (MI) XXI. McLaughlin, G. 113, state 2. Wheat, C.I. (TM) #74.
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.