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Listing Template 2018 Home About Us View Feedback Contact Us 1780 Antique Map of Partie Occidentale du CANADA GREAT LAKES by BonneClick image to enlargeDescription1780An original Antique Map by Rigobert Bonne Guillaume Thomas Raynaltitled'PARTIE OCCIDENTALE DU CANADA Contenant les cinq Grands Lacs, avec les Pays Circonvoisins'An extremely attractive example of Rigobert Bonne's c. 1775 map of the Great Lakes and upper Mississippi Valley. A map of considerable importance, this map was constructed during a period of aggressive exploration into this region. The French and English in North America, jealous of Spain's access to the Pacific via Mexico and Central America, were actively seeking their own 'westward passage.' By this time notions of a Northwest Passage through the Arctic were largely dismissed. Instead merchants and explorers turned their eyes inland towards the great system of Lakes and Rivers that filled the North American interior. With no concept that the vast barrier of the Rocky Mountains stood in their way - the idea that a river route to the Pacific was not only reasonable, but a likely possibility. One of the more likely courses for this route is shown here - one can pass through the Great Lakes and, roughly following the current US-Canada border, pass upriver to Rainey Lake (L. Tecamamiouen)and then, through another River, to the Lake of the Woods (Lac des Bois), then, via another river, to (though it does not appear on this map) Lake Winnipeg. Here the water route westward ends - though at the time they didn't know it. Throughout this map, Bonne attempt to document rivers, mountains, forts, and American Indian tribes and villages with the most recent data obtainable. He identifies the lands of the Sioux, the Iroquois (Five Nations), the Algonquians, the Illinois, and many others. Chicago (Chicagou) and Detroit both appear as forts. The Great Lakes are mapped with a rough approximation of accuracy, though Lake Superior does include a number of apocryphal islands including I. Ponchartrain and I. Minong (also known as Phillipeaux). These islands first appeared Bellin's mapping of the region in 1750s and continued to appear until the 1820sPROVENANCEDrawn by R.Bonne for G.Raynal's ATLAS DE TOUTES LES PARTIES CONNUES DU GLOBE TERRESTRE, DRESSE POUR l'HISTOIRE PHILOSOPHIQUE ET POLITIQUE DES ETABLISSEMENTS ET DU COMMERCE DES EUROPEENS DANS LES DEUX INDESCARTOGRAPHERSRigobert Bonne (1727-1795 ) was one of the most important cartographers of the late 18th century. In 1773 he succeeded Jacques Bellin as Royal Cartographer to France in the office of theHydrographer at the Depand#244;t de la Marine. Working in his official capacity Bonne compiled some of the most detailed and accurate maps of the period. Bonne's work represents an important step in the evolution of the cartographic ideology away from the decorative work of the 17th and early 18th century towards a more detail oriented and practical aesthetic. With regard to the rendering of terrain Bonne maps bear many stylistic similarities to those of his predecessor, Bellin. However, Bonne maps generally abandon such common 18th century decorative features such as hand coloring, elaborate decorative cartouches, and compass roses. While mostly focusing on coastal regions, the work of Bonne is highly regarded for its detail, historical importance, and overall aesthetic appeal.Guillaume Thomas Raynal (April 12, 1711 - March 6, 1796) was a French writer, philosopher, and historian active during the Enlightenment. Raynal was educated as a Jesuit, but left the order for unknown reasons, and moved to Paris where he dedicated himself to the production of a number of minor but popular historical works. Raynal's histories opened doors to elite social and artistic circles where he met and befriended various members of thePhilosophe Coteries. Raynal's most important work is generally considered to be a 1770 collaboration with Diderot and others entitled,L'Histoire philosophique et.
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