Desnos, Louis Charles | Revival of interest in the Northwest Passage

Desnos, Louis Charles

L'Amerique Meridionale et Septentrionale... Paris: 1768

Copperplate engraved map (to sight: 700 x 485 mm). Handcoloring, with an inset of the Northwest Passage; a few stray spots, small primarily marginal repair to lower right, repairs to verso of center fold. Matted and framed; not examined out of frame. 

A distinctive map of America, sparking new interest in the West

One of the most notable maps of America of the French School, its uncharacteristically elaborate border offers portraits of early explorers and Indian leaders. Here, North America is depicted at the height of British power, shortly after their victory in the French and Indian War, and before their defeat in the Revolution. The inset in the lower right corner offers a notable cartographic element: a possible Northwest Passage, which was drawn from the discredited map of Joseph De l'Isle, inspiring new interest in the West.