(North America - Asia - Diderot Map lot)

(North America - Asia - Diderot Map lot), Diderot,  c. 1779 
As we again enter an era of book banning, this set of historic maps came from an encyclopedic work that was banned by both the Catholic church and the French government of the time. Mostly written and published by the great polymath Denis Diderot, this set of maps traces the history of discovery toward North America and portions of Asia from the 17th and 18th centuries.
          Diderot was an influential figure in the Enlightenment and later became the personal librarian for Catherine the Great of Russia. His was an intellect that may only be seen once a generation, and his impact was profuse among his peers, though he was persecuted by the government, arrested and placed in solitary confinement at one time. Even today his impact is felt in people like Stewart Brand and his "Whole Earth Catalog" which he sought to be a modern type of Diderot's Encyclopedia.
         An astounding history of discovery from a polymath's view of cartography at the time, which draws a clear understanding of the progression and regressions that occurred. Includes one of the best summaries of the quagmire of California being shown as an island and its resolution. A valuable set of images for the understanding of the many frontiers over the centuries and how they were addressed. Condition on the maps is pretty uniform and very good with some minor age toning to the paper and sunning. Some very minor marginal tears and old folds.

-Carte des parties nord et ouest de L Amerique- dressee d'apres les relations les plus authentiques par M., en 1764- Nouvelle edition reduite par M. De Vaugondy en 1772 - ...Suppl. 1 re. Carte (12 x .15.25)

-Carte des parties Nord et est de L'Asie - qui comprend- Les Cotes De La Russie Asiatique- Le Kamschatka, Le Jesso, Et Les Isles Du Japon- dressee en 1764 par M***- Nouvelle edition reduite par M. de Vaugondy- ...Suppl 2 e. Carte. (12 x 14.75)

-Nouvelle Representation- DES COTES Nord et Est DE L'ASIE,- pour servir d'eclaircissement aux Articles- du Supplement de l'Encyclopdie qui- concernent le Passage aux Indes par le Nord.- Gravee sous la direction de Mr de Vaugondy- en 1772.- ... Suppl 3e. Carte (12 x 14.5)

- CARTE -DE LA CALIFORNIE- Et Des Pays Nord - Ouest- separe's de l'Asie par- le Detroit d'Anian, -extraite de deux Cartes publiees au commencement du 17e siecle.- Par de Sr. Robert de Vaugondy Geog. du Roi... Suppl 4e. Carte. (12 x 14.5)

-CARTE DE LA CALIFORNIE- Suivant- I. La Carte Manuscrite de l' Amerique de Mathieu Neron Pecci olen dresses a Florenze en 1604- II. Sanson 1656... Suppl. 5e. Carte (12 x 15.25)

-CARTE DES NOUVELLES DECOUVERTES- dressee par Phil. Buache Pr Geogr du Roi- presentee a L'Accad? des Sciences le 9 Aoust 1752- et approuvee dans son assemblee... Suppl. 6e. Carte (12 x 15.25)

-CARTE GENERALE DES DECOUVERTES-de l'Amiral de Fonte, et autres Navigateurs Espagnols Anglois et Russes- pour la recherche du Passage a la Mer du Sud-... Suppl. 7e Carte. ( 12 x 15.25)

-CARTE GENERAL-Des Decouvertes De-L'Amiral De Fonte-representant- la grande provavilite d'un-PASSAGE AU NORD OUEST... Suppl. 8e. Carte (12 x 15.25)

-CARTE qui represente les differentes connoissances que l'on au eues des TERRES ARCTIQUES depuis 1650 jus qu'en 1747 ausquelles il faut comparere la carte suivante... Suppl. Carte 9e.