Carte de Bombay et ses Environs; Kaart van Bombay, en omliggende Plaatsen (Map of Bombay, and Surrounding Places)

circa 1750s

Original copper engraving with later hand colouring on paper

8 x 11 in (20.3 x 27.9 cm)

Beautifully drawn early map of Bombay Harbor, known today as "Front Bay". Shows depths and sandbars. Also includes pictorial details including churches, forts, and ships. This map by Jean Nicholas Bellin is engraved by Jacob van der Schley, published as plate no.3 in volume 9 of the 1752 French edition of Abbe Provost's Abrege L'Histoire Generale Des Voyages.

This is the Plan of Bombay and it's Vicinity which is a sea route map of the island of Bombay (consisting of seven smaller islands), the island of Salsette and the Island of the Jesuites (Jesuites is an order of Roman Catholic Priests), the Island of Caronja and the Island of Chaul.

One of the most significant cartographers of the 18th century is Jacques Nicholas Bellin (1703-1772).

He was made the French Navy's chief cartographer in 1721 when he was just 18 years old. He was appointed Official Hydrographer of the French King in August 1741 and became the first Ingenieur de la Marine of the Depot des cartes et plans de la Marine (the French Hydrographical Office).

The Depot was the most active centre for the creation of sea charts and maps during his tenure as Official Hydrographer, and it produced the Neptune Francois, a massive folio style sea chart of France. He also created a number of sea-atlases of the world, including the Hydrographie Francaise and the Atlas Maritime. These were republished throughout the 18th century and even into the next century when they attained recognition, distinction, and esteem throughout all of Europe.

Bellin also produced smaller-format maps, such as the 580 exquisitely detailed charts seen in the 1764 Petit Atlas Maritime. He also supplied a number of maps to Antoine Francois Prevost's 15 volume Histoire Generale des Voyages, better known as l'Abbe Prevost.

Bellin established exceptionally high standards for craftsmanship and accuracy, helping France take the lead in European geography and cartography. Other European mapmakers duplicated many of his maps.

This work will be shipped unframed.

NON-EXPORTABLE

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