Gilles Robert de Vaugondy’s engraving, “World Map”, 1756

Gilles Robert de Vaugondy (aka Le Sieur; Monsieur Robert) (1688–1766)—a leading cartographer in France during the 18th century (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_de_Vaugondy)

“World Map”, 1756, a world map to the scale of ca.1: 60,000,000, published in 1757 in Charles de Secondat Montesquieu’s “De l'Esprit des Loix” (Of the Spirit of Laws), (Nouv. ed., Tome Premier) in London. Interestingly, this early map, executed 14 years before James Cook claimed the eastern portion of the Australian continent in 1770 for the British Crown, shows Tasmania attached to mainland Australia (see details about this map including its publication details offered by Trove: https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-232259780/view).

Engraving on laid paper with full margins and gatefold creases (flattened) as published.

Size: (sheet) 27.3 x 54.5 cm; (plate) 24.4 x 48.1 cm; (image borderline) 23.2 x 46.5 cm.

Lettered in plate within the text box: (lower right) “CARTE/ pour l'intelligence du/ LIVRE INTITULÉ/ DE L'ESPRIT DES LOIX/ par le Sr. Robert de Vaugondy, Géog. ord. duRoi &c. 1756.”

Condition: a strong impression with flattened gatefold creases. Beyond scattered pale stains the sheet is in excellent condition for its considerable age with no tears, holes, abrasions, significant stains or foxing.

I am selling this exceptionally rare world map from 1756 showing cartographical knowledge of Australia before James Cook claimed the land for Britian, for the total cost of AU$403 (currently US$289.64/EUR255.23/GBP213.68 at the time of posting this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this fascinating and historically significant early world map, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.