COLLECTION NAME:
David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
Record
Author:
Robert de Vaugondy, Didier, 1723-1786
Author:
Diderot, Denis
Date:
1772
Short Title:
CARTE DE LA CALIFORNIE
Publisher:
Chez les Sociétés Typographiques
Publisher Location:
Lausanne
Type:
Book Map
Obj Height cm:
29
Obj Width cm:
38
Note:
A rare and important map of California in five different states, ranging from roughly 1656 to 1767. Engraved by the important French cartographer Robert De Vaugondy, for the c. 1770 edition of the Denis Diderot (1713-84) Encyclopedie . This map explores the confused state of California cartography in the late 18th century. Examines the gradual discovery of California through various seminal mappings. Initially uses the work of Italian cartographer Matheau Neron Pecci (1604) which correctly presumed that the main body of California extended southward into a peninsula. The next map illustrated, by N. Sanson in 1656, displays in insular California. Map no. III, by Guillaume de L'Isle (1700) reattaches California to the mainland, returning to the early peninsular theory. Next, Vaugondy exhibits part of the seminal Kino Map. This map, rendered by a Jesuit missionary c. 1705 was the work that finally disproved the California Insular theory. Father Franz Kino walked this region between 1698 and 1701. The final map, produced by unnamed Jesuits c. 1767 is a somewhat accurate depiction of the Baja California peninsula. These maps all predate the discoveries of Captain Cook’s voyages and hence Diderot’s work was as much speculative as historical. A fine example of an essential work for all serious California collections. This map is part of the 10 map series prepared by Vaugondy for the Supplement to Diderot’s Encyclopédie , of which this is plate 5. This seminal map series, exploring the mapping of North American and specifically the Northwest Passage was one of the first studies in comparative cartography.
Reference:
McLaughlin identifies this copy as State 1: Inset maps “II” and “V” are unlabelled. Map [II] is with horizontal lettering for “P. de la Conception”. Map III with lettering but no land represented for “I. de Se. Catherine” and “I. de Cenica”; with “MER DE CALIFORNIE ou VERMEILLE” extending to 37 deg. N. with shading along the “R. de bona guida”; and with no top longitude lines except 235 and 240 deg. N. Within title cartouche, “1767” lettering has the 6 & 7 run together. Dimensions 29 x 38.2 cm.
World Area:
North America
State/Province:
California
Full Title:
CARTE DE LA CALIFORNIE Suivant I. la Carte manuscrite de l'Amerique de Mathieu Néron Pecci olen dresses à Florence en 1604 II. Sanson 1656 III. De l'Isle Amèrique Sept. 1700 IV. le Pere Kino Jesuite en 1705 V. la Sociètè des Jésuites en 1767 La Còte orientale depuis le C. des Vierges jusqu'à l'embouchure du R. Colorado est estraite de la Carte du P. Ferdinand Gonsaque dressèe en 1746 (Showing the evolution of California to an island and back again).
List No:
10402.010
Page No:
5
Series No:
10
Publication Author:
Diderot, Denis
Publication Author:
Robert de Vaugondy, Didier, 1723-1786
Pub Date:
1781
Pub Title:
Recueil de planches, pour la nouvelle édition de dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers, avec leur explication. Tome Troisieme.
Pub Reference:
Wagner 637; Wheat 160; Tooley 100; Leighly 177 (Plate XXIV, State 2); UCB.
Pub Note:
This series of 10 maps was prepared by Vaugondy for the Supplement to Diderot’s Encyclopédie, originally issued circa 1772 and reissued with later printings of the encyclopedia as in this 1781 issue.. This seminal map series, exploring the mapping of North American and specifically the Northwest Passage was one of the first studies in comparative cartography. See also Philippe Buache's Considerations Geographiques Et Physiques Sur Les Nouvelles Decouvertes Au Nord de La Grande Mer Appellee Vulgairement La Mer Du Sud, our 11780.000, for an earlier comparative cartography study of the same area.
Pub List No:
10402.000
Pub Type:
Geography Book
Pub Maps:
10
Pub Height cm:
22
Pub Width cm:
27
Image No:
10402010.jp2
Authors:
Robert de Vaugondy, Didier, 1723-1786; Diderot, Denis
