Gilles Robert de Vaugondy (1688-1766). Carte de la Virginie et du Maryland. Dressée sur la grande carte Angloise de Mr.s Josué Fry et Pierre Jefferson (Map of Virginia and Maryland. Drawn from the large English map by Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson) Par le Sr. Robert de Vaugondy Géographe ordinaire du Roi. Avec privilège 1755. Gravé E. Haussard. (Paris: Robert de Vaugondy, 1755). Published in Vaugondy’s Atlas Universel. First edition, first state with western border of Pennsylvania at 297˚30,’ Lord Fairfax grant line, and Elizabeth Haussard signature. Title printed on verso. Double-page copper-plate engraving with original outline color on heavy paper. 19 x 25 1/4 in. to neatline. Full margins. Sheet size: 21 3/4 x 30 ¾ in. Excellent condition for this important map.
$6,000.00
Fine First Edition
Vaugondy’s map of Virginia and Maryland shows a Virginia as it appeared at the beginning of the French and Indian War (1754–63). The early British colony of Virginia had once encompassed areas to the north and west that were ceded to newer colonies by the British crown or claimed by France. Following the treaty with the French, Virginia would designate its western border at the Ohio River, effectively encompassing West Virginia and Kentucky, which were later established by the United States government.
As the title states, Vaugondy drew his map based on the landmark map published by Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson (father of Thomas Jefferson). Fry and Jefferson had conducted the first comprehensive survey of Virginia, and drew their map without delineation of a western border.
“The eastern part of the [Fry-Jefferson] map provides a wealth of new and corrected information. . . Chesapeake Bay and the Eastern Shore teem with the names of creeks, towns, and plantation owners. It is also the best contemporary map of Maryland, often cited as the least mapped of all the British colonies. . . The revised edition of the Fry-Jefferson map became the preeminent map of Virginia for the remainder of the eighteenth century. Eight English-language states of the map are recognized, as well as French-language editions by Gilles and Didier Robert de Vaugondy and George Le Rouge.” — Stephenson & McKee
While the present map is a French production, its language is primarily English and includes early spellings, such as “Patoumak.” Other interesting notes include “The Dismal Swamp,” located west of Currituk Inlet, and a number of Court Houses along the James River. The red outline of Virginia includes a division for the limits of Lord Fairfax’s lands.
Gilles Robert de Vaugondy (1688–1766) was a professor of mathematics and “geographer to the king.” He was the father of Didier Robert de Vaugondy (1723–1786), who also became geographer to Louis XV, and was famous for his atlases and globes. Their Atlas Universel which contained the present map is known as “one of the first atlases based on scientific surveys, in the tradition of D’Anville and De L’Isle.” (Rumsey)
Refs: Pedley, Bel et Utile; Phillips, Atlases, no. 619; Rumsey, no. 3353.101; Stephenson & McKee, Virginia in Maps, II-21A-D (Fry-Jefferson).
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