PLAN DE LA NOUVELLE-ORLEANS.
Bellin, Jacques Nicolas:
Paris: Bellin from the PETIT ATLAS MARITIME, 1764. Copper-engraved map. Sheet size: 9 1/3 x 13 1/4 inches. Loss to upper left corner outside of plate mark, 1 1/2-inch tear to from left margin into map image, in very good condition. One of the most important early maps of New Orleans, by an esteemed French cartographer. This finely engraved map is one of the most detailed plans of the city to be made in the 18th century. It improves upon Bellin's earlier map of New Orleans, which was contained in Charlevoix's HISTOIRE DE LA NOUVELLE FRANCE (1744), which in turn borrowed from the original manuscript plan of the city drafted by Le Blond de la Tour in 1722. It captures the symmetrical layout of the city, and individually labels each of the streets. The boundaries of every property lot are delineated, and the placement of every building is marked. Eighteen of the most important edifices and sites, such as the parish church (of St. Louis), the government buildings, convents, the hospital, and military structures are identified by a letter and named above. The waters of the Mississippi River are vividly expressed through especially fine engraving, and the canal that runs along the eastern side of the city, built in 1729, is depicted. As indicated in the upper right margin, this map was the 45th plate in the first volume of Bellin's well received PETIT ATLAS MARITIME. CHARTING LOUISIANA 171. SELLERS & VAN EE, MAPS & CHARTS OF NORTH AMERICA & THE WEST INDIES 1676.
(Item ID: WRCAM38682) $850.00