Map of France, Divided into Governments, Celebrated by Battles and Sieges, Intended for the Elucidation of Lavoisne's Historical Atlas by C.Gros. Copperplate map, original colour, published in 1828. 56 x 44 cm, condition good. Price £85.00/$170.00 Click for info

The most prominent French cartographer in the 16th century was Oronce Fine.

Fine produced a heart-shaped map of the world in 1519. This was copied by Apian in 1530. In 1531 he drew a double heart-shaped projection of the world for De Novus Orbis for Grynaeus, and it was also published by Munster in Basle. This map was copied by many geographers including Mercator.The first series of maps of the provinces of France appeared in The Theatrum of Ortelius.

The great School of French Geographers was initiated by Nicolas Sanson (1600-67) and ran from the second half of the 17th century until the later part of the 18th century. He had three sons, Nicolas (died 1648), Guillaume (died 1703), and Adrien (died 1708). They were succeeded by Alexis Hubert Jaillot, who had collaborated with the younger Sansons. In 1681 Jaillot published his Atlas Nouveau, which had new editions in 1689, 1691 and 1692, and continued in print till 1750. Other cartographers Pierre Duval (1619-83) son-in-law of Sanson, was another noted cartographer of the period.

France reached the height of its influence in the 18th century. Scientific mapping from exact ground observation commenced, and speculative cartography was finally abandoned.

In 1744 Triangulation started. Nicolas de Fer (1646-1720) was an engraver and geographer with a prolific output. He produced "Les Forces de l'Europe ou descriptions des principlales villes" in 1696, later re-issued by Mortier in Amsterdam. The two Jean Baptiste Nolins (father and son) also produced atlases and maps of the world.

But the best known figure at the beginning of the eighteenth century was Guillaume De l'Isle (1675-1726), a child prodigy who had learned maths and astronomy from Cassini and geography from his father. He published his first Atlas in 1700. His maps were re-published by Covens and Mortier in Amsterdam and also by his nephew, Phillipe Buache (1700-1773). One of the most celebrated of French geographers was Jean Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville (1697-1782). He spent his whole life studying geography and acquiring maps. He had a predilection for ancient geography and editions of his "Geographie Ancienne et Abregee" appeared in 1769, 1775 and 1810. English translations appeared in 1775, 1795, 1801, 1810 and 1820.

Another famous family was the Robert de Vaugondys: Giles (1688-1766) and Didier (1723-86). Their production of the "Atlas Universel" in 1757 was supported by the court, headed by Madame Pompadour, and over 600 subscribers. From the scientific point of view the Cassinis who began using the technique of triangulation, producing the Carte Geometrique in 1789 on 24 sheets.

Selected French maps currently in stock

Map of Bell'Isle divided into Parishes. Showing Bay of Biscay called by the French The Great Road. Copperplate map, hand coloured from The Gentleman's Magazine, April 1761. 19 x 11 cm Condition good £54.00 / $108.00 (plus packaging and postage) Click for info Back to top

Mont Saint-Michel,General Plan by Ed.Corroyer, coloured engraving from historical information by Touchard Lafosse, dated 1851. 31 x 42 cm Condition fair £68.00 / $136.00 (plus packaging and postage) Click for info Back to top

Bourgogne Meridionale,ou Franche-Comte. Copper engraved map, showing Lake Geneva and part of Switzerland. Sieur Robert.(Robert de Vaugondy)who was directly descended from Nicolas Sanson. Revised and corrected. Outline colour, dated 1749. 56 x 46 cm Good condition £280.00 / $560.00 (plus packaging and postage) Click for info Back to top

Dunquerque. Copperplate engraving on hand made paper, showing fortifications, detailed explanation and very interesting Cartouche, circa 1680. 19.5 x 15.5 cm Good condition £75.00 / $150.00 (plus packaging and postage) Click for info Back to top

Martinique, Guyane, Isle et Bancs de Terre Neuve. Illustrated, coloured map with insets, written by A.Bixet,and engraved by Lecocq and Barbiere, published by Migeon circa 1860. 26 x 24 cm Good condition has full margins £75.00 / $150.00 (plus packaging and postage) Click for info Back to top

Calvados. Inset illustration of Caen, and Coat of Arms as well as various personalities. Coloured map, published by Migeon circa 1860. 25 x 23. cm Good condition £60.00 / $120.00 (plus packaging and postage) Click for info Back to top

Railway and Statistical Map of France, showing the Wine growing districts tinted Green, the red wine Centres underlined in Red, the white wine Centres underlined in Blue. Coloured map, published by Letts's, Son and Co. Ltd 1881. 34 x 38. cm Good condition mounted on linen £80.00 / $160.00 (plus packaging and postage) Click for info Back to top

Selected French prints currently in stock

Paris. Nine Views of Important places in Paris. A.H.Payne, steel engraving, published by A.H.Payne circa 1840. 17 x 12 cm Condition good £40.00 / $80.00 (plus packing and postage) Click for info Back to top

Paris. S.Davenport, steel engraving, published by Thomas Kelly, circa 1840. 20 x 11 cm Condition good £40.00 / $80.00 (plus packing and postage) Click for info Back to top

Louvre. Steel engraving,hand coloured, drawn by F.Arundale, 1823. 14 x 9 cm Condition good £40.00 / $80.00 (plus packing and postage) Click for info Back to top

Versailles, Gallery of Mirrors. Steel engraving, drawn by F.Mackenzie, hand coloured, circa 1840. 17 x 12 cm Condition good £40.00 / $80.00 (plus packing and postage) Click for info Back to top

Versailles, The Canal of Trianon. W.Callow, Steel engraving, hand coloured, circa 1840. 14.5 x 10.5 cm Condition good £40.00 / $80.00 (plus packing and postage) Click for info Back to top

Versailles, The Palace from the Paris Avenue, W.Callow, steel engraving, hand coloured, circa 1840. 14.5 x 10 cm Condition good £40.00 / $80.00 (plus packing and postage) Click for info Back to top

Napoleon and Marie Louise at Fontainbleau. Wood engraving from Columbus and Columbia, circa 1890. 15 x 20 cm Condition fair £25.00 / $50.00 (plus packing and postage) Click for info Back to top

Hotel de ville Bourges, formely the house of Jacques Coeur. T.Allom, steel engraving, hand coloured, engraved by S.Bradshaw, circa 1840. 19.5 x 12.5 cm Condition good £40.00 / $80.00 (plus packing and postage) Click for info Back to top

Brest. Jules Noel, Steel engraving, hand coloured, engraved by Outhwaite, circa 1840. 14 x 10 cm Condition good £36.00 / $72.00 (plus packing and postage) Click for info Back to top

Couvent de la Foi. Rouargue, Steel engraving, hand coloured, circa 1840. 16 x 13 cm Condition good £32.00 / $64.00 (plus packing and postage) Click for info Back to top

Havre. J.M.W.Turner, steel engraving, hand coloured, engraved by R.Wallis, circa 1840. 13.5 x 10 cm Condition good £38.00 / $76.00 (plus packing and postage) Click for info Back to top

Costume of the South of France, and Corsicans. Drawn and engraved by George Cooke, hand coloured copper plate engraving, published by Longman Hurst and Orme, 1808. 18 x 24 cm Condition good £48.00 / $96.00 (plus packing and postage) Click for info Back to top

Carcassonne, wood engraving by Taylor circa 1875. 19x 14cm Condition fair £28.00 / $56.00 (plus packing and postage) Click for info Back to top

Pay de Vand, Wufflens. W.H.Bartlett, Steel engraving, hand coloured, published by G.Virtue,1836. 15 x 11 cm Condition good £35.00 / $70.00 (plus packing and postage) Click for info Back to top

Pass between Voiron and the Grande Chartreuse. T.Allom, steel engraving, showing means of transportation,engraved by J.Cousen c.1840. 19 x 12 cm Condition good £35.00 / $70.00 (plus packing and postage) Click for info Back to top

Voireppe on the Isere, T.Allom, steel engraving, hand coloured c.1840. 18 x 12.5 cm Condition good £35.00 / $70.00 (plus packing and postage) Click for info Back to top

French Artillery preparing for Action, wood engraving c.1860. 25 x 16 cm Condition good £28.00 / $56.00 (plus packing and postage) Click for info Back to top