historical maps
18th century views of my 21st century world
Northern Parts of the Globe between America and Asia
1758 Jacques-Nicolas Bellin France
1758 Jacques-Nicolas Bellin France
The map that started it all for me. A French naval map drawn during the
Seven-Years' (French and Indian) War. Bellin's simple yet elegant style is
accentuated by his choosing not to speculate about lands not yet openly
charted by the British, French, Spanish and Russians.
Seven-Years' (French and Indian) War. Bellin's simple yet elegant style is
accentuated by his choosing not to speculate about lands not yet openly
charted by the British, French, Spanish and Russians.
Index
Canada, Louisiana and English Possessions
1778 Didier Robert de Vogondy France
1778 Didier Robert de Vogondy France
A general view of North America drawn during the American war of
independence, showing the known lands of Brltain and Spain as well as the
reappearance of the supposed discoveries made by the mythical Spanish
Admiral De Fuente.
independence, showing the known lands of Brltain and Spain as well as the
reappearance of the supposed discoveries made by the mythical Spanish
Admiral De Fuente.
Map of New Discoveries
1752 Philippe Bouache France
1752 Philippe Bouache France
Another map that shows "discoveries" that were more myth than reality, based
on brother-in-law Joseph Nicolas de l'Isle's attempt to unite recent Russian
discovery with Spanish rumours. De Fuente's lakes, the Western Sea and
even the still unproven Strait of Juan de Fuca all show up. Despite the
remarkably correct outline, It's more of a collection of northwest coast legends
than an accurate representation.
on brother-in-law Joseph Nicolas de l'Isle's attempt to unite recent Russian
discovery with Spanish rumours. De Fuente's lakes, the Western Sea and
even the still unproven Strait of Juan de Fuca all show up. Despite the
remarkably correct outline, It's more of a collection of northwest coast legends
than an accurate representation.
North America
1790 Rigobert Bonne France
1790 Rigobert Bonne France
The rough outline of North America's west coast starts to take familiar shape
thanks to the voyages of Cook and La Pérouse. The details however remain
sketchy, especially concerning the inland waters and the coast of Alaska in
general.
thanks to the voyages of Cook and La Pérouse. The details however remain
sketchy, especially concerning the inland waters and the coast of Alaska in
general.
General Map of the Discoveries of Admiral de Fuente
1755 Didier Robert de Vaugondy France
1755 Didier Robert de Vaugondy France
One of the Holy Grails of Northwest Coast cartography, based on Joseph
Nicolas de l'Isle's 1752 map that started the whole De Fuente myth. Like de
l'Isle, Vaugondy attempts to blow the cover on Spain's secret discoveries in
North America. The result of his speculation (taken to extremes) is beautiful,
but a complete fantasy.
Nicolas de l'Isle's 1752 map that started the whole De Fuente myth. Like de
l'Isle, Vaugondy attempts to blow the cover on Spain's secret discoveries in
North America. The result of his speculation (taken to extremes) is beautiful,
but a complete fantasy.
Northern and Western Parts of North America
1772 Didier Robert de Vaugondy France
1772 Didier Robert de Vaugondy France
Vaugondy redraws the west coast of North America once again, based partly
on a map from 1764. He ignores his now questioned Spanish myths, only to
insert some new ones, later picked up by the church of Latter Day Saints in the
19th century.
on a map from 1764. He ignores his now questioned Spanish myths, only to
insert some new ones, later picked up by the church of Latter Day Saints in the
19th century.
Carte de la partie de la côte nord-ouest de l'Amérique
1798 George Vancouver United Kingdom (French transcription)
1798 George Vancouver United Kingdom (French transcription)
The map that literally put the Northwest Coast on the map. Vancouver's
expedition is famous for having explored Puget Sound and the Straights of
Georgia, but his final map showed an amazingly accurate view of the coast
from the Spanish missions of California to the Russian trading posts of
Alaska. The closing chapter in the exploration of the temperate coasts of North
America.
expedition is famous for having explored Puget Sound and the Straights of
Georgia, but his final map showed an amazingly accurate view of the coast
from the Spanish missions of California to the Russian trading posts of
Alaska. The closing chapter in the exploration of the temperate coasts of North
America.
