The Art of Maps:Louis-Charles DESNOS- Mappe-Monde Céleste Terrestre et Historique augmentée des Voyages et Découvertes du célébre Capitaine Cooke

Mappe-Monde Céleste Terrestre et Historique augmentée des Voyages et Découvertes du célébre Capitaine Cooke

Louis-Charles DESNOS

1786

Paris

Hand-coloured engraved wallmap of the world on 6 sheets, joined, (overall 1030 x 940mm). The large double hemisphere world map set in an elaborate border incorporating the signs of the zodiac, wind points, lunar and other astronomical and astrological dials, title running across the upper margin, lower portion of the map comprising an architectural plinth with tablets inset, giving geographical information on the three ancient continents, Europe, Asia and Africa. Window mount.

A very fine example of Desnos's rare and impressive wallmap, a reissue of Jaugeon's map of 1688, which was also issued by Alexis-Hubert Jaillot and his forebears in the 1730s and in 1758. Louis Brion de la Tour and Desnos collaborated in republishing the maps of Jaillot and Sanson. Shirley 538; Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, Portraits of the World, 1981, number 57.

The Art of Maps: Louis Charles Desnos Mappe-Monde ou Carte Generale De La Terre Divisee En Deux Hemispheres 1766

Mappe-Monde ou Carte Generale De La Terre Divisee En Deux Hemispheres 1766 

Louis Charles Desnos 
Paris / 1766 
Coloring: Hand Colored 
Size: 40 x 31 inches 


Spectacular double hemisphere map of the world, surrounded by allegorical decorations and models of the heavens, by Louis Charles Desnos. Desnos's World Map was originally issued by Nicolas De Fer in 1694 and was later extensively revised by Danet in the mid-18th Century, before being revised again by Desnos. Desnos issued several editions of the map, with this being an early edition by Desnos. The most significant cartographic update is in the Northwestern part of America, where the Sea of the West is prominently shown (twice!) and a highly embellished depiction of the discoveries during Tchirikow's voyage in 1741 is given. The prospect of both Northwest and Northeast Pasages clearly depicted on the map, including a marvelous channel extending northeast from the Sea of the West (Mer de l'Oest). The map also tracks the circumnavigations of a number of earlier explorers, including Magellan, LemaIre, Schouten, and others. The depiction of Australia and New Zealand appears in the style popularized by the Dutch, which endured until Cook's Voyages, which comenced shorty after the publication of this map. While the De Fer editions of the map appear occasionally on the market, we note only 2 other examples of the Desnos appearing at auction or in dealer catalogues in the past 30 years (including a heavily damaged and restored example which appeared at auction in 2004) and an example offered by Roderick Barron in 1996). 4-sheet map, joined. Minor repairs and discoloration along several old fold lines.