1781 Buache de Neuville Map of the World on Polar Projection (Arctic)

Pioneering submarine geography.

A striking 1781 Philippe Buache map of the world, presented on an unusual polar projection rendered from the North Pole. This is the first work to attempt to map the ocean floor - a revolutionary work connecting submarine with surface geography. Although Buache's geography was speculative at best, the work is a landmark achievement in its attempt to illustrate and scientifically assess the unknowable oceanic depths.

Mapping the Ocean Floor

This curious projection has its origins in a 1752 essay presented by Philippe Buache to the Royal Academy of Sciences in Paris. This paper, Essai de Geographie Physique, argued that the Earth's great river basins are defined by major mountain ranges, many of which extend beneath the oceans. These notions were more fully realized in Buache's 1757 physical atlas, Cartes et Tables De La Geographie Physique ou Naturelle, which was the first work to attempt the mapping of not only surface geological features but also the contours of the ocean floor. This map, in particular, supports the notion that physical features observable on land maintained continuity with areas covered in water. Thus, Buache's isolines, which indicate gradients on land, can be seen to do the same in the oceans, linking archipelagos and signaling the connectedness of the world's landmasses. Though Buache's mapping of the ocean floor is speculative, his work is nonetheless a pioneering achievement in oceanographic cartography.

Buache's mapping of sub-oceanic cartography was exceptionally challenging due to vast gaps in general geographical knowledge. Buache can only speculate on the southern continent of Antarctica. Cap de la Circoncision, now known to be part of Bouvet Island, is illustrated as a possible northern promontory of the Antarctic land mass. The mapping of Australia and Tasmania still relies on the 17th-century explorations of Tasman. In support of his theories of undersea geography, Buache has added mountain ranges where none had yet been discovered. Some of these include speculative ranges in the northern Sahara, bisecting central India, along the Orinoco basin, and connecting the islands of the Pacific.

The Sea of the West

Buache also includes a magnificent inland sea, called the Sea of the West or, in this case, the Mer de L'Ouest, in the northwestern part of North America. This body of water, alternatively called the Sea of the West or Baye de l'Ouest, was speculated by Philippe Buache and Nicholas De l'Isle in the early 18th century based upon wishful thinking, American Indian stories, and the somewhat questionable 16th-century explorations of Juan de Fuca. Here, Buache gives the Mer de l'Ouest its fullest expression, although he specifically does not connect it to either the factual network of lakes and rivers extending westward from the Hudson Bay or to the speculative De Fonte network just to the north.

Other Details

The map covers from the North Pole Arctic region south beyond Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) to include parts of New Zealand and even Cap de la Circoncision (Bouvet Island). Color coding highlights different types of terrain with a key in the lower left. Extensive text expounding on Buache's geographical theories surrounds the map. Additional text describes the voyages of Bouvet de Lozier (1738-39) and Abel Tasman (1603-1659), both of which are marked.

Publication History and Census

This map was originally issued in 1752. The present example was engraved by Desbruslins in 1756 for Buache's 1757 Cartes et Tables De La Geographie Physique ou Naturelle. A later example was issued by Buache's successor, Jean-Claude Dezauche, in his 1781 Atlas Geographique. There is no significant difference between editions. We see twelve examples of this map listed in institutional collections; it appears on the market in various editions from time to time.

Cartographers

Phillipe Buache (February 7, 1700 - January 24, 1773) was a late 18th-century French cartographer and map publisher. Buache began his cartographic career as the workshop assistant and apprentice to the important and prolific cartographer Guillaume de L'Isle (1685 - 1726). Upon De L'Isle's untimely death, Buache took over the publishing firm, cementing the relationship by marrying De L'Isle's daughter. Over the years, Buache republished many of De L'Isle's maps and charts. Buache was eventually appointed Premier Geographe du Roi, a position created for and previously held by Guillaume de L'Isle. Buache is most respected for introducing hachuring as a method for displaying underwater elevation on a two-dimensional map surface. Buache compiled maps based upon geographic knowledge, scholarly research, the journals of contemporary explorers and missionaries, and direct astronomical observation. Nevertheless, even in 18th-century Paris, geographical knowledge was severely limited - especially regarding those unexplored portions of the world, including the poles, the Pacific northwest of America, and the interior of Africa and South America. In these areas, Buache, like his primary rival Robert de Vaugondy (fl. c. 1716 - 1786), must be considered a speculative geographer or 'positive geographer'. Speculative geography was a genre of mapmaking that evolved in Europe, particularly Paris, in the middle to late 18th century. Cartographers in this genre filled in unknown areas on their maps with speculations based on their vast knowledge of cartography, personal geographical theories, and often dubious primary source material gathered by explorers and navigators. This approach, which attempted to use the known to validate the unknown, naturally engendered many rivalries. Buache's feuds with other cartographers, most specifically Didier Robert De Vaugondy, resulted in numerous conflicting papers being presented before the Académie des Sciences, of which both were members. The era of speculative cartography effectively ended with the late 18th-century explorations of Captain Cook, Jean-François de Galaup de La Perouse, and George Vancouver. Buache was succeeded by his nephew Jean-Nicholas Buache de Neuville (1741 - 1825).   Further Details...

Jean-Nicholas Buache de Neuville (February, 15 1741 - November 21, 1825) was a French geographer, cartographer, scientist, and map publisher active in late 18th century Paris. Buache de Neuville was the nephew of the more prominent French geographer Philippe Buache (1700 - 1773), who held the coveted post of Premier Geographe du Roi. The position meant that Philippe Buache was assigned to tutor the young Dauphin in Geography. Philippe Buache often brought his young nephew, Jean-Nicholas Buache to these secessions where he apparently developed an excellent relationship with the prince. After Philippe Buache's death in 1773 the position of Premier Geographe du Roi fell to J. B. B. D'Anville (1697 - 1782). Jean-Nicholas Buache, now 41, was in an ideal position to take up the job and canvased his royal friend, now Louis XVI for the position. He became the Premier Geographe du Roi in 1782, beating out such strong competitors as Rigobert Bonne, Didier Robert de Vaugondy (c. 1723 - 1786), and Edmonde Mentelle. Buache de Neuville compiled maps based upon geographic knowledge, scholarly research, the journals of contemporary explorers and missionaries, and direct astronomical observation. Nevertheless, even in 18th century Paris geographical knowledge was severely limited - especially regarding those unexplored portions of the world, including the poles, the Pacific northwest of America, and the interior of Africa and South America. In these areas Buache de Neuville, like his uncle, Philippe, and primary rival Robert de Vaugondy, must be considered a speculative geographer or 'positive geographer'. Speculative geography was a genre of mapmaking that evolved in Europe, particularly Paris, in the middle to late 18th century. Cartographers in this genre would fill in unknown areas on their maps with speculations based upon their vast knowledge of cartography, personal geographical theories, and often dubious primary source material gathered by explorers and navigators. This approach, which attempted to use the known to validate the unknown, naturally engendered many rivalries. Buache de Neuville's feuds with other cartographers, most specifically Didier Robert De Vaugondy, resulted in numerous conflicting papers being presented before the Academie des Sciences, of which both were members. The era of speculatively cartography effectively ended with the late 18th century explorations of Captain Cook, Jean Francois de Galaup de La Perouse, and George Vancouver.   Further Details...

François Desbruslins (1709 - 17xx) was a French map and line engraver active in Paris during the mid-18th century, from approximately 1719 until 1757. His is known for architectural plans, maps, and scientific diagrams. He engraved numerous maps for several famous French cartographers, including Philippe Buache and Jacques-Nicolas Bellin.   Further Details...

Source

Dezauche, Jean-Claude, Atlas Geographique, Contenant les Hemispheres Celestes et Terrestres; les Cartes Marines du Grand Ocean; la Carte generale d'Europe, divisee en ses Etats; celles des Cotes de la Mer Mediterranee, et des Iles Britanniques, vol 1, (Paris: Dezauche) 1781.    

Condition

Very good. Original wash and outline color. Generous margins and a bold, sharp strike. Paper size 19 x 23.5 in.

References

Rumsey 5698.003.