L'Amerique Septentrionale - H. Jaillot 1692

📜 Description
Original copperplate engraved map depicting North America, published in Paris by Hubert Jaillot in 1692 after the cartographic model of Nicolas Sanson under the title “Amerique Septentrionale divisée en ses principales parties”. This antique map represents the North American continent divided into its principal territorial and colonial regions then known, including Canada, Nouvelle France, Mexico, Nouvelle Espagne and the Arctic Territories according to the French geographic vision of the late 17th century. The composition is structured within a vast geographic grid featuring a detailed representation of coastlines, major river systems, inland regions, Arctic areas and principal known settlements, while the hand-colored boundary lines distinguish the territories attributed to the French, Castilians, English, Swedes, Danes and Dutch, as indicated in the extensive inscription running across the upper section. The large ornamental cartouche positioned on the left side of the sheet, enriched with allegorical figures, heraldic emblems and Baroque decorative motifs, reflects the monumental taste characteristic of French cartography of the period. The dedicatory inscription to the Dauphin of France places the work within the context of official geographic production intended for a cultivated and institutional audience. The map documents the state of European knowledge concerning North America during the height of modern colonial expansion, combining scientific purpose, political updating and decorative representation. The engraved line is precise and highly legible, giving the work documentary and collectible significance within the field of historical cartography and antique prints.

📚 Historical-Artistic Note
Nicolas Sanson is regarded as one of the founders of modern French cartography during the 17th century, renowned for his rational and scientific approach to geographic representation. Hubert Jaillot, a Parisian publisher and cartographer, acquired and reworked numerous Sanson maps, transforming them into large decorative sheets intended for international circulation and scholarly consultation. This map belongs to the production of the “Atlas Nouveau”, one of the most important French cartographic publishing enterprises of the late 17th century, distinguished by its large format, updated geographic content and elaborate decorative apparatus intended both for scientific use and representational display.

🧾 Technical Details
Type: Original geographical map
Author / Maker: Nicolas Sanson (cartographic model)
Publisher / Printer: Hubert Jaillot
Place: Paris
Period: 1692
Material: Paper
Technique: Copperplate engraving with etching and burin on copper
Subject / Title: “Amerique Septentrionale divisée en ses principales parties”
Edition / Print Run: From “Atlas Nouveau”
Dimensions: Sheet approx. 100 x 64 cm; engraved area approx. 88 x 54 cm

🔍 Condition Report
Sheet in excellent overall condition with light and normal signs of age consistent with period and use. Usual central fold from the original publication. Engraved surface well impressed and clearly legible with good preservation of the copperplate line. Blank verso.