CARTE DE LA COSTE OCCIDENTALE D’AFRIQUE DEPUIS LE XIIᵉ DEGRÉ DE LATITUDE SEPTENTRIONALE JUSQU’AU XIᵉ DEGRÉ DE LATITUDE MÉRIDIONALE TIRÉE DE LA CARTE FRANÇOIS DE L’OCÉAN OCCIDENTAL

Cartographer: Jacques-Nicolas Bellin
Publisher: By order of Le Comte De Maurepas
Price: £30 (post-free in the UK)
Publication Date: circa 1757 but dated 1739
Edition: Not stated
Format: Copper engraving
Condition: In very good condition, unframed
Sheet Size: 37.4cm x 25.2cm

Condition:

Original fold lines. Very minor age-spots and minor loss to the lower margin. Reverse is blank with age toning and minor marks. In very good condition overall.

Location: Map Drawer C: FS: Folder M2000 002544

This is an 18th-century cartographic depiction of the western coast of Africa. It spans a significant portion of the continent, extending from the 12th degree north of the equator to the 11th degree south, capturing a vast and diverse geographical area.

This map illustrates the intricate coastline of western Africa, highlighting significant ports, rivers, and settlements. The regions depicted include modern-day Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Angola, and neighbouring territories. Key features such as capes, estuaries, and islands are meticulously noted, with annotations about navigation routes, hazards, and maritime conditions, reflecting its intended use as a resource for seafarers.

The map draws from French cartographic expertise and showcases the interplay between geographical knowledge and artistic craftsmanship. Place names and notes provide a glimpse into the cultural and economic interactions of the time, particularly with regard to trade networks, European colonial interests, and local communities. The focus on latitudinal markers underscores the navigational importance of the map for ships traversing the Atlantic coast.

Rendered with precision, the map combines scientific detail with artistic embellishments typical of the period. It reflects both the exploratory spirit of the Enlightenment and the geopolitical ambitions of European powers in Africa during the 18th century.

Jacques-Nicolas Bellin: A Short Biography

Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703–1772) was a renowned French cartographer and hydrographer, celebrated for his meticulous and influential contributions to the field of cartography during the 18th century. His work remains a cornerstone in the history of geography and navigation, shaping the way maps were crafted and utilised during the Age of Enlightenment.

Early Life and Career

Bellin was born in Paris in 1703, a period when exploration and scientific discovery were transforming Europe’s understanding of the world. Little is documented about his early life, but his keen intellect and aptitude for geographic sciences soon became apparent. In 1721, at the age of 18, he was appointed the chief cartographer to the newly established French Hydrographic Office, a position he would hold for over five decades.

Contributions to Cartography

As chief cartographer, Bellin was tasked with producing accurate maps and charts for the French Navy. His work focused on improving navigation and understanding coastal and maritime geography. He meticulously charted coastlines, harbours, and waterways, ensuring that sailors could navigate safely and efficiently. His maps were characterised by their precision, clarity, and attention to detail.

Bellin’s work extended beyond France. He compiled and corrected maps from various sources, including those created by explorers and surveyors. His maps covered diverse regions, from the Americas to Asia and Africa, reflecting the global ambitions of 18th-century France.

Notable Works

Bellin produced numerous maps and atlases, many of which became standard references in their time. Among his most celebrated works are:

• Hydrographic Charts: These detailed maps were indispensable to sailors, highlighting safe routes, hazards, and anchorages.
• Atlas Maritime: A collection of detailed nautical maps covering the world’s oceans and coasts.
• Petit Atlas Maritime: This smaller atlas was designed to be accessible to a broader audience, offering geographical knowledge to scholars, navigators, and the general public.
• Maps of Africa and Asia: Bellin’s detailed charts of the African and Asian coasts were instrumental in trade and exploration during the era.

Influence and Legacy

Bellin’s work was highly regarded not only in France but also internationally. His maps were used by navigators, scholars, and explorers and were often included in encyclopaedias and geographical collections. His rigorous methodology set a new standard in cartography, influencing how maps were created and interpreted.

Bellin was also a member of the French intellectual community, contributing to the growing repository of geographic knowledge that defined the Enlightenment. His works reflected the era’s commitment to precision, rationality, and scientific inquiry.

Later Years and Death

Bellin continued to work as a cartographer well into his later years, remaining at the forefront of geographic sciences until his death in 1772. His enduring influence is evident in the many maps and charts that bear his name, which continue to be studied and admired for their historical and scientific value.

Legacy

Jacques-Nicolas Bellin is remembered as one of the most important cartographers of the 18th century. His maps not only guided sailors across treacherous seas but also advanced the world’s understanding of geography. His commitment to accuracy and his ability to synthesise information from diverse sources made his work indispensable in an age when exploration was reshaping the global landscape. Today, Bellin’s maps are prized by collectors and historians as artefacts of a time when cartography was both an art and a science.

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