Bellin, Jacques “Carte de la Virginie, de la Baye Chesapeack, et Pays Voisins.”

Jacques N. Bellin (1703-72).  “Carte de la Virginie, de la Baye Chesapeack, et Pays Voisins.”  From Prevost d'Exiles' Histoire Generale des Voiages.  

Paris: Chez Didot, 1761.   7 1/2 x 11 1/4.  Engraving.  Uncolored as originally issued.  Two vertical folds as issued.  Light discoloration right hand margin not affecting map information.  Archival backing.  Else, very good condition. 

A map of Virginia, Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay by Jacques Nicolas Bellin, the Hydrographer to the King of France.  From about 1650 to 1750, the French dominated the cartographic world, with their fine, scientifically based maps, elegantly engraved and precisely detailed.  Bellin was one of the best in the later period.  This map focuses on the Chesapeake Bay, showing the rivers and creeks draining into it and the towns and roads throughout the area.  Also shown are the southern parts of Pennsylvania (including Philadelphia) and New Jersey.  Delaware is shown as part of Pennsylvania prior to the agreement between Penn and Lord Baltimore. A lovely baroque title cartouche complements this historic interest of this map.