1688 Hennepin Map of North America (first map to name Louisiana)

A work that fundamentally impacted the cartographic history of America, this is the 1688 first Dutch edition of Friar Hennepin's most important work describing his explorations through the Great Lakes and the upper Mississippi valley. This book includes the first map to name Louisiana as well as some of the earliest descriptions and depictions of the regions, including Niagara Falls. The enclosed map, entitled Kaart van Nieuw Vrankryk en van Louisiana, covers all north American from the Strait of Anian and California (which is attached to the mainland) as far east as the Grand Banks, as far north as Lake Assenipoils (Winnipeg), and as far south as Antilles and the Spanish Main. It also includes Denys' description of New France and the coasts of North America. Unlike earlier editions of this work, which only had two image plates (Niagara Falls and a Bison) this edition of Hennepin's book contains four plates depicting indigenous life and interactions with the explorers. This book is considered 'One of the most important volumes in the early history of North America' (Lande) being the first printed description of La Salle's explorations.

In 1679 the French lord René-Robert Cavelier de La Salle set out from Fort Frontenac, on Lake Ontario, to explore the Great Lakes and eventually make their way to the Mississippi River. La Salle was of the belief that the Mississippi connected to other water routes that would eventually lead to the Pacific. His scribe and chronicler on this expedition was a Dutch Friar of the Franciscan Recollect order, Antoine Louis Hennepin. Hennepin, who had a passion for 'pure and severe virtue' and La Salle, who had a passion for 'moral weaknesses' never quite saw eye to eye. Nonetheless, the expedition sailed (and were the first to do so) through Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and Lake Huron into Lake Michigan, then followed the St. Joseph River to what is today South Bend Indiana, where they constructed Fort Crevecoeur, present day Peoria, Illinois. At this point the explorers parted ways with La Salle returning on foot to Frontenac to resupply and Hennepin continuing onward via the Illinois River to the Mississippi.

Hennepin attempted to explore southwards towards the mouth of the Mississippi but, in his own words, 'the nations did not give us the time to navigate up and down this river.' Instead he traveled northward past St. Anthony Falls and modern day Minneapolis to Lac des Issatis (Leech Lake), a source of the Mississippi. From here Hennepin attempted a return to Fort Crevecoeur, but was instead captured by a band of wandering Sioux who took him to the Mille Lacs region of Minnesota, near Lake Superior. Hennepin remained in Sioux custody until the adventurer Daneil Greysolon Delhut, who had negotiated a peace treaty with the Sioux, ransomed him.

Hennepin and La Salle never met again. La Salle went on to explore the length of the Mississippi, named Louisiana, claimed it for France, and established a short lived colony near Matagorda Bay, Texas. Hennepin, who had enough adventure, returned to France where he published an enormously popular book, Description de la Louisiane, of which this is the first Dutch edition.

This book features a map that depicts much of the upper Mississippi valley but does not suggest exploration as far as the Gulf of Mexico – as do Hennepin's two later maps. This map is believed to be the first printed map made from actual observations to bear the name 'Louisiana.' In this work Hennepin claims to have coined the term 'Louisiane' but, it was in fact La Salle who had first named the region.

This edition of Hennepin's map features a curious title cartouche in the lower right quadrant intended to represent the triumph of Christianity in Louisiana. The words 'Trumf van Louisiana' surround a cross radiating the power of god. A putto to the left of the cross supports a tapestry containing the title of the map. The armorial crest of France's House of Bourbon appears the upper left quadrant.

This book also contains a description of coastal North America by Nicolas Denys, who wrote his entire account from first person experience. Denys claimed that he is the proprietor of all lands and islands between Cap de Campseaux and Cap des Roziers (Penobscot Bay). Denys includes geographic and anthropological descriptions of the French territory, discusses native attire and customs, the lucrative bakkeljauw (codfish) fishery, and a chapter on the cold, snowy winters. One of the two plates illustrates the 'Strange history of a Sea- or Merman' in Canso harbor.