1771 Bonne Map of Abyssinia (Ethiopia), Sudan and the Red Sea

Includes a nearly accurate depiction of the Blue Nile!

This is a 1771 Rigobert Bonne map of Nubia and Abyssinia. The map depicts from Aswan, Egypt to modern-day Ethiopia and from modern-day Sudan to Saudi Arabia. The modern-day countries of Eretria, Djibouti and Somalia are illustrated and border the Red Sea, which is labeled. This is a fairly advanced map revealing the cartographic sophistication of the Abyssinian Empire. The Blue Nile is illustrated flowing correctly into Lake Dambea (Lake Tana) from the south. Numerous important cataracts on the Blue Nile are labeled. The White Nile, whose course is more mysterious, acts as a kind of western border for this map, with only vague notations regarding the African empires lying on its western shores. Numerous Nubian and Abyssinian cities and monasteries are labeled, along with Mecca across the Red Sea. A decorative title cartouche is situated in the upper right corner.

Drawn by Rigobert Bonne in 1771 for issue in Jean Lattre's 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. In 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.   Further Details...

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.   Further Details...

Source

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

Condition

Very good. Original platemark visible. Blank on verso.

References

Rumsey 2612.063. Phillips (Atlases) 664. National Maritime Museum, 215.