A Map of the United States and Canada, New-Scotland, New-Brunswick and New-Foundland ... [together with] A Map of the West-Indies and of the Mexican-Gulph...

Description

A Map of the United States and Canada, New-Scotland, New-Brunswick and New-Foundland / Carte des Etats Unis, avec Le Canada, la Nouvelle Ecosse, le Nouveau Brunswick & Terre-Neuve. Dressée par LAPIE, Capitaine-Ingénieur-Géographe. Publiée par P.A.F.TARDIEU, Graveur, Editeur propriétaire a Paris. Déposée à la Bibliothèque Imperiale, le 10 Juin 1806.
[together with]
A Map of the West-Indies and of the Mexican-Gulph / Carte des Indes Occidentales et du Golfe du Mexique. Dressée par LAPIE, Capitaine-Ingénieur-Géographe. Publiée par P.A.F.TARDIEU, Graveur, Editeur propriétaire a Paris. Déposée à la Bibliothèque Imperiale, le 5 Septembere 1806.
[together with]
Its original case, made from boards covered with marbled paper and label.

Two maps, each map segmented and laid on cartographic linen, as issued. (530 x 800mm.) dissected in 18 parts and with the engraved label of Ch. Picquet on the verso with title in lead pencil. Both maps have signs of water staining. Together with contemp. marbled case with label “INDIES / OCCIDENT”, case is used.The norther part published in June (first state of 2, later state dates September) the lower part dated September.

This beautiful and rare set of two maps drawn by Pierre Lapie, a Colonel in the Imperial Corps of Engineers, issued by J.A. Dezauche in 1806 is largely based on the work of Aaron Arrowsmith, who first published his monumental map of North America in 1796, the current map shows the United States at a time of great transition, just after the acquisition of the Louisiana Territory, but before the extent of the western discoveries of Lewis and Clark during their exploring expedition of 1804, 1805, 1806, and those of Zebulon Pike of 1806 and 1807 is known.
Mississippi and Georgia Territories are shown, and are still inhabited by the Creek and Chactaw Indians. New Mexico is clearly shown as the property of French. The map extends to the northern coastline of South America, and includes detailed mapping of the West Indies and the Caribbean.

Remarkably fine engraving, as is characteristic of Tardieu's maps. The map was apparently issued both as a separate map of just the United States and also in a pairing with a map of the Caribbean and Central America, bringing the size to 35 x 30 inches.

This extremely rare large-scale map of the Gulf of Mexico shows the European possessions through a color-coded key adjacent to the title cartouche. The regions and islands controlled by the French, Spanish, British, Danish, Dutch, and Swedish are shown, along with the area belonging to the United States. The map was issued shortly after the Louisiana Purchase (1803), the creation of Mississippi Territory (1804) and the creation of Michigan Territory (1805) and is among the earliest printed maps to illustrate these features.
Florida is divided into East and West, and extends to the Mississippi River. There is great topographical detail throughout, and rivers and place names fill the map.

East Florida
A detail from the 1806 map of the West Indies showing the Spanish territory of Floride Oriental, or East Florida. This map shows coastal features, major lakes and rivers, and settlements. Various place names reflect French, English, and Spanish variations, such as Cayo de Huesos for Key West, Baie Chatham for Ponce de Leon Bay, and Lac du St. Esprit or Lac de Mayaco for Lake Okeechobee.
Place Names: 1800-1819, Floride Oriental, East Florida, S. Marc d'Apalache, St. Marks, Baie du St. Esprit, Tampa Bay, I. Sanybel, Sanibel Island, Baie Chatham, Cayo de Huesos, Key West, Cap Canavaral, Cape Canaveral, St. Augustine, Saint Augustine, R. S. Jean, St. Johns River, I. Amelia, Lac du St. Esprit, Lac du Mayaco, Lake Okeechobee.

West Florida
This map shows coastal features, major lakes and rivers, and settlements of West Florida. Various place names reflect French, English, and Spanish variations, such as Baie St. Joseph for St. Joseph Bay.
Place Names: 1800-1819, Floride Occidentale, West Florida, Pensacola, Campbell Town, Baie de St. Joseph, St. Joseph Bay, C. St. Blaise, Cape San Blas, Appalachicola R., Apalachicola River