Important early map of Louisiana under the French, showing the region bounded by the Great Lakes, Pennsylvania, the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and New Mexico.  Very detailed, with beautiful hand-coloring, showing settlements, towns, native tribes, forts, rivers, mountains and anachronistic place names written in French.   Two folds as issued.  Map size: 9 1/2 x 12 1/2 inches.  Excellent condition, and a very fine example of this map.
 
Framed to museum-grade standards in a handmade 1 1/4" wide, 1" high black scoop with gold bead wood frame, linen conservation mat, and protected by Tru Vue Optium Museum Acrylic® glazing.  Mat opening size 12 3/4 x 9 1/4 inches; overall size with frame: 19 x 15 1/2 inches.  As with all of our framed art, the frames and framing materials are new, and since framing is stored in a controlled environment away from light.  Center fold as issued; otherwise the map is in excellent condition.  An elegant display of an important map of the region.
 
Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703 - 1772), was one of the most important cartographers of the 18th century, with a career spanning some 50 years.  Compared to earlier 17th and 18th century cartographic work, Bellin's maps focus on function and accuracy tending.  Unlike many of his contemporaries, Bellin was always careful to cite his references.  Despite his success, he did not always enjoy his work, which is described as "long, unpleasant, and hard".  In addition to numerous maps and charts published during his lifetime, many of Bellin's maps published posthumously with updates.