California as an island
The Western Hemisphere, by Alain Manesson-Mallet. 1685
Allain Manesson Mallet (1630-1706)
Allain Manesson Mallet was born the son of Philippe Mallet in 1630. His father was an ingénieur ordinaire to Louis XIV and a professor of mathematics around 1645. Allain, at first, carried muskets to the regiment of guards of Louis XIV and then became an engineer like his father. Later becoming a sergeant-major of artillery, he travelled extensively in Spain and Portugal, supervising the fortifications there. On his return to France, he was named master of mathematics. In 1671 he published the Travaux de Mars, a book on military fortifications. He followed in 1683 with the work concerned here, the Description de L'Univers, a five-volume geographical text covering all aspects of the subject. It was heavily illustrated with nearly 700 prints and maps. (Burden)
Nouveau Continent ou Amerique.
Item Number: 26644 Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > America > The Americas
Old, antique map of the Western Hemisphere with California as an island, by Alain Manesson-Mallet.
An unknown Southern Continent is shown, along with a very incomplete Australian Coastline.
Date of the first edition: 1683
Date of this map: 1685
Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Size (not including margins): 14.5 x 10cm (5.7 x 3.9 inches)
Verso: Blank
Condition: Excellent.
Condition Rating: A+
References: Burden, #560; McLaughlin, #86.
From: Beschreibung des ganzen Welt-Kreises. Frankfurt, 1685.
From: Alain Manesson-Mallet, Beschreibung des ganzen Welt-Kreises. Frankfurt, 1685.
Allain Manesson Mallet (1630-1706)
Allain Manesson Mallet was born the son of Philippe Mallet in 1630. His father was an ingénieur ordinaire to Louis XIV and a professor of mathematics around 1645. Allain, at first, carried muskets to the regiment of guards of Louis XIV and then became an engineer like his father. Later becoming a sergeant-major of artillery, he travelled extensively in Spain and Portugal, supervising the fortifications there. On his return to France, he was named master of mathematics. In 1671 he published the Travaux de Mars, a book on military fortifications. He followed in 1683 with the work concerned here, the Description de L'Univers, a five-volume geographical text covering all aspects of the subject. It was heavily illustrated with nearly 700 prints and maps. (Burden)