1749 Bellin Map of Cape Verde Islands: May, Praia, Jacques Island
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Description: Bellin's uniquely drawn half-view, half-maps of the Portuguese held Cape Verde Islands, from Prevost's influential Histoire Des Voyages, 1750. Essentially three coastal views on a single sheet. The upper left view details the Isle of May (Maio island), the lower left view details the Isle of S. Jago (Sao Tiago), and the third details Havre de Praya or the Harbor of Sao Tiago (Today’s Praia, capital of the Cape Verde Islands). The prominent fort of Saint Philippe is noted. The Cape Verde Islands were important both for the trans-Atlantic trade, for which they were an important supply point, and for the African Slave trade, for which they served the same function.
Date: 1750 (undated)
Source: Provost, A., L`Histoire Generale des Voyages, Vol. II, plate 11.
Cartographer: Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703 - 1772) is one of the most important cartographers of the 18th century. With a career spanning some 50 years, Bellin is an important transitional cartographer. His long career as "hydrographer" and "Ingénieur Hydrographe" to the Dépôt des cartes et plans de la Marine resulted in the completion of hundreds of high quality nautical charts of practically everywhere in the world. Bellin's work focuses on accuracy and tends to be less decorative than the earlier 17th and 18th century work of predecessors such as Homann. In addition to numerous works published during his lifetime, many of his maps were published posthumously. He was succeeded in his position by student Rigobert Bonne. Click here for a list of rare maps from Jacques-Nicolas Bellin.
Size: Printed area measures 8.5 x 6.25 inches (21.59 x 15.875 centimeters)
Condition: Very good. Original platemark visible. Blank on verso.
Code: CapeVerdeViews-bellin-1749 (to order by phone call: 646-320-8650)
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