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1771 Bonne Map of Brittany, France

Bretagne-bonne-1771
$125.00
Carte du Gouvernement De Bretagne. - Main View
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1771 Bonne Map of Brittany, France

Bretagne-bonne-1771


Title


Carte du Gouvernement De Bretagne.
  1771 (dated)     12.5 x 17 in (31.75 x 43.18 cm)     1 : 930000

Description


This is a scarce 1771 Bonne map of Brittany, France. It covers the former province of Brittany from Granville south to Isle de Noirmoutier and from the Celtic Sea inland as far as Ingrande. The region includes the departments of Finistere, Cotes-d'Amor, Ille-et-Vilaine, Loire-Atlantique (previously known as Loire-Inferieure) and Morbihan. The map renders the entire region in extraordinary detail offering both topographical and political information with forest and mountains beautifully rendered in profile.

The map identifies the Island of Ouessant, the north-westernmost part of France. The western region of Brittany (department of Finistere) is known for its cider production and excellent boar hunting. The Ille-et-Vilaine region, in the northeast of Brittany, is famous for its seafood, and especially oysters. The dramatic island and castle of Mont Saint-Michel is depicted just off the coast. The region of Loire-Atlantique, located in the southeast, is part of the Loire Valley wine region, and is especially known for its production of Muscadet, a white wine produced from the Melon de Bourgogne grape variety. This area is also famous for a variety of cow's milk cheese known as Fromage du Cure Nantais. Morbihan is an exceptionally beautiful part of the Breton cost noted for its many islands, many of which are now privately owned by movie stars, politicians, well known musicians and other influential people. Morbihan is named for its most unusual feature, a large inland sea near Vannes, itself called The Morbihan. This region is also the home of the mysterious megalithic ruins at Carnac.

A beautifully engraved title cartouche adorns the lower left quadrant. Drawn by R. Bonne in 1771 for issue as plate no. C 5 in Jean Lattre's 1776 issue of the Atlas Moderne.

CartographerS


Rigobert Bonne (October 6, 1727 - September 2, 1794) was one of the most important French cartographers of the late 18th century. Bonne was born in Ardennes à Raucourt, France. He taught himself mathematics and by eighteen was a working engineer. During the War of the Austrian Succession (1740 - 1748) he served as a military engineer at Berg-op-Zoom. It the subsequent years Bonne became one of the most respected masters of mathematics, physics, and geography in Paris. In 1773, Bonne succeeded Jacques-Nicolas Bellin as Royal Cartographer to France in the office of the Hydrographer at the Depôt de la Marine. Working in his official capacity, Bonne compiled some of the most detailed and accurate maps of the period - most on an equal-area projection known erroneously as the 'Bonne Projection.' 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 scientific and practical aesthetic. While mostly focusing on coastal regions, the work of Bonne is highly regarded for its detail, historical importance, and overall aesthetic appeal. Bonne died of edema in 1794, but his son Charles-Marie Rigobert Bonne continued to publish his work well after his death. More by this mapmaker...


Jean Lattré (170x - 178x) was a Paris based bookseller, engraver, globe maker, calligrapher, and map publisher active in the mid to late 18th century. Lattré published a large corpus of maps, globes, and atlases in conjunction with a number of other important French cartographic figures, including Janvier, Zannoni, Bonne and Delamarche. He is also known to have worked with other European cartographers such as William Faden of London and the Italian cartographer Santini. Map piracy and copyright violations were common in 18th century France. Paris court records indicate that Lattré brought charges against several other period map publishers, including fellow Frenchman Desnos and the Italian map engraver Zannoni, both of whom he accused of copying his work. Lattré likes trained his wife Madame Lattré (né Vérard), as an engraver, as a late 18th century trade card promotes the world of 'Lattré et son Epouse.' Lattré's offices and bookshop were located at 20 rue St. Jaques, Paris, France. Later in life he relocated to Bordeaux. Learn More...

Source


Lattre, Jean, Atlas Moderne ou Collection de Cartes sur Toutes les Parties du Globe Terrestre, c. 1775.    

Condition


Very good. Original platemark visible. Minor wear along original centerfold.

References


Rumsey 2612.009 (1786 edition).