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Description

Fine old color example of Pierre Mortier's map of North America, published in Amsterdam.

While the map gives credit to Nicolas Sanson, Mortier has in fact copies of the map of North America by Guillaume De L'Isle, perhaps the most influential map of North America published at the beginning of the 18th century, which was first issued in 1700.

The map shows North America with colonial divisions and a wide open Northwest. The Southeast is shown as a massive region titled "Floride," while the Southwest is called Nouveau Mexique. The mouth of the Mississippi is pushed considerable west of its true location.

There are a few places noted along the California coast. Quivira is placed in the Midwest. The routes of Cortez in 1534, Drake's route, D'Olivier's route in 1600, Gaeten's route in 1542 and Mendana's route are shown off California. Names the Apaches Peuples, Apaches de navaio and other Indian tribes.

Important early Great Lakes configuration is also significantly updated and improved. The map is also credited as one of the earliest maps to depart from the myth of California as an Island, but in fact the map is very cautious in this regard, with no actual connection of California with the mainland.

Pierre Mortier Biography

Pierre, or Pieter, Mortier (1661-1711) was a Dutch engraver, son of a French refugee. He was born in Leiden. In 1690 he was granted a privilege to publish French maps in Dutch lands. In 1693 he released the first and accompanying volume of the Neptune Francois. The third followed in 1700. His son, Cornelis (1699-1783), would partner with Johannes Covens I, creating one of the most important map publishing companies of the eighteenth century.