CARTE DES NOUVELLES DECOUVERTES AU NORD DE LA MER DU SUD TANT À L’EST DE LA SIBÉRIE ET DU KAMTCHATKA QU’À L’OUEST DE LA NOUVELLE FRANCE

Cartographer: François Santini After Joseph Nicholas De L’Isle and Philippe Buache
Publisher: François Santini, Venice & M. Remondini
Price: £600 (post-free in the UK)
Publication Date: 1776
Edition: Remondini & Santini
Format: Copper engraving
Condition: In very good condition, unframed
Sheet Size: 74.2cm x 53.1cm

Condition:

Original central fold lines. Original or very early hand-colouring. Age toning and minor foxing to the paper and creasing. Small amount of loss to the left margin. Archive repairs to the head and tail of the central fold line to the reverse. In very good indeed condition overall. Scarce.

Location: Map Drawer C: FS: Folder M2000 002572

The “Carte des Nouvelles Découvertes au Nord de la Mer du Sud tant à l’Est de la Sibérie et du Kamtchatka qu’à l’Ouest de la Nouvelle France” is a significant historical map that reflects the state of geographical knowledge and speculation in the mid-18th century. Its title translates to “Map of the New Discoveries in the North of the South Sea, both to the East of Siberia and Kamchatka and to the West of New France,” underscoring its focus on newly explored and theorised regions of the North Pacific, including areas of Asia and North America.

Geographical Context and Purpose

This map was created during a period of intense exploration and cartographic activity, as European powers sought to expand their knowledge of the world and establish territorial claims. It aimed to depict discoveries in the North Pacific Ocean, focusing on the regions between Siberia, the Kamchatka Peninsula, and the western part of North America, which was then broadly referred to as “Nouvelle France.”

The map synthesises information from various sources, including reports from explorers, indigenous knowledge, and earlier maps. It serves both as a record of recent discoveries and a speculative representation of uncharted territories, reflecting the evolving understanding of this vast and remote region.

Key Features

1. The North Pacific Ocean and Adjacent Lands:
   • The map highlights the North Pacific Ocean, showing the areas explored by Russian expeditions, particularly those led by Vitus Bering and his successors, who charted the eastern coasts of Siberia and the Kamchatka Peninsula.
   • On the opposite side of the Pacific, it outlines parts of North America, including the western coastline, which was still largely speculative and incomplete at the time.
2. The Sea of the West (Mer de l’Ouest):
   • The map includes the mythical “Sea of the West,” a large inland sea thought to exist in the interior of North America. This feature, common in maps of the period, was based on speculative geography and indigenous accounts but was later debunked by further exploration.
3. New France:
   • The map extends into areas of New France, the French colonial territories in North America, encompassing regions that are now part of Canada and the United States. It illustrates the European understanding of the western limits of these territories.
4. Siberia and Kamchatka:
   • Siberia’s eastern extremities and the Kamchatka Peninsula are depicted with increasing accuracy, thanks to Russian expeditions. These areas were critical for understanding the connection between Asia and North America.
5. Decorative Elements:
   • Like many maps of the time, it includes ornate cartouches, embellishments, and artistic depictions of geographical features, reflecting the aesthetic traditions of 18th-century cartography.

Historical Significance

This map represents a transitional moment in cartography, balancing the incorporation of new discoveries with lingering myths and inaccuracies. It illustrates the geopolitical ambitions of European powers, particularly France and Russia, in the North Pacific. By documenting both confirmed and speculative knowledge, it contributed to the evolving cartographic record and inspired further exploration.

The map also serves as a valuable artefact for understanding how 18th-century Europeans viewed the world. It demonstrates their desire to impose order and understanding on uncharted territories while revealing the limitations of their knowledge. Over time, maps like this were instrumental in shaping the geographic and political boundaries that define the modern world.

The North Pacific Ocean And The Sea Of The West In The Mid-Eighteenth Century: A Brief Description

In the mid-eighteenth century, the North Pacific Ocean and the elusive Sea of the West captured the imagination of explorers, cartographers, and European powers. This was an era defined by curiosity, competition, and the relentless pursuit of geographical knowledge, as nations vied to expand their empires and commercial reach.

The North Pacific Ocean: A Gateway to Discovery

The North Pacific Ocean was a relatively uncharted expanse during the mid-1700s, though it was increasingly the focus of European exploration. Situated between the eastern coasts of Asia and the western shores of North America, it was seen as a potential corridor linking the wealth of Asia to the burgeoning colonies in the Americas. Explorers and traders sought routes that could facilitate faster and more profitable exchanges, including the mythical Northwest Passage.

Russian expeditions under the leadership of explorers such as Vitus Bering had begun charting the northern reaches of the Pacific, providing vital knowledge about Siberia’s eastern coast and the Aleutian Islands. These endeavours, sponsored by the Russian Empire, opened up new trade opportunities and laid the groundwork for subsequent fur trading enterprises. Meanwhile, Spanish expeditions ventured northward from their colonies in Mexico, motivated by the need to defend their claims in the New World against other European powers.

The Sea of the West: A Cartographic Enigma

The “Sea of the West” (or Mer de l’Ouest) was a geographical concept rather than a confirmed feature, often depicted on mid-eighteenth-century maps as a vast inland sea west of the Rocky Mountains. This mythical body of water fuelled speculation about a possible navigable waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Early cartographers, drawing from indigenous accounts, speculative geography, and reports from explorers, placed the Sea of the West prominently on maps.

The idea of the Sea of the West was linked to the broader quest for the Northwest Passage. Its existence was proposed as a potential solution to the challenges of transcontinental trade and exploration. Many maps of the period depicted the Sea of the West in varying shapes and locations, often connected to imagined river systems that could be navigated to reach the Pacific. These maps were as much statements of hope as they were of scientific understanding, reflecting the speculative nature of geography during the era.

Exploration and Its Impact

By the mid-eighteenth century, the North Pacific Ocean was increasingly seen as a theatre for imperial rivalries. Britain, Spain, Russia, and France all sought to claim territories and resources, leveraging exploration as a tool for expansion. Indigenous knowledge played a crucial role in shaping European understanding of the region, though it was often misinterpreted or reimagined to fit prevailing European narratives.

As the century progressed, voyages by explorers such as James Cook would bring greater clarity to the geography of the North Pacific. The mapping of coastlines, islands, and oceanic currents helped dispel many myths, including the existence of the Sea of the West. However, the speculative allure of these ideas demonstrates the transformative impact of exploration on the European imagination and the shifting boundaries of the known world.

In summary, the mid-eighteenth century was a period of transition for the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of the West. While exploration brought new insights and corrected misconceptions, it also perpetuated the spirit of curiosity and wonder that drove the European Age of Discovery. These endeavours laid the foundation for future explorations, enriching the geographical knowledge that would define the modern world.

François Santini: A Short Biography

François Santini was a prominent 18th-century cartographer and engraver of Italian descent, known for his meticulous work in mapmaking and geographical documentation. Born in the early 1700s, likely in Venice, Italy, he became active in the flourishing Venetian cartographic tradition that thrived during the Age of Enlightenment. Santini gained recognition for producing high-quality maps that were not only scientifically accurate but also artistically impressive.

Santini’s work often involved reworking and improving existing maps, including those created by prominent French and Dutch cartographers. His engravings, distinguished by their precision and attention to detail, reflected the European fascination with exploration and discovery. His maps frequently featured detailed depictions of coastlines, mountains, rivers, and settlements, as well as ornate cartouches and decorative elements that enhanced their aesthetic appeal.

A notable aspect of Santini’s career was his collaboration with other cartographers and publishers, such as Robert de Vaugondy and Guillaume Delisle. These partnerships helped Santini integrate new geographical knowledge into his maps, ensuring their relevance and accuracy. His works often included regions of emerging interest, such as the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific, making them valuable tools for scholars, navigators, and collectors.

In addition to his cartographic achievements, François Santini contributed to the preservation and dissemination of geographical knowledge during a time when exploration was reshaping Europe’s understanding of the world. His maps remain prized by historians and collectors for their historical significance and artistic merit.

Santini continued to work until the late 1700s, leaving a legacy as one of the era’s influential cartographers. His contributions are a testament to the rich tradition of Venetian mapmaking and its role in documenting the expanding horizons of the 18th century.

The Remondini Family: A Short Biography

The Remondini family, originating from Bassano del Grappa in Italy, were among the most influential printers and publishers in Europe from the late 17th to the 19th century. Known for their innovation and prolific output, they produced a wide range of printed materials, including books, religious images, decorative prints, and highly detailed maps. Their contributions not only shaped European publishing but also played a critical role in the dissemination of knowledge during a time of expanding global exploration and trade.

The Remondini enterprise began in the late 1600s under Giovanni Antonio Remondini, who established the family’s printing house in Bassano del Grappa. By the 18th century, the business had grown into one of Europe’s largest and most renowned printing establishments. The family specialised in producing affordable and widely accessible prints, enabling the broader distribution of literature, religious imagery, and geographical knowledge.

In the realm of cartography, the Remondini family made a significant mark by collaborating with some of the most respected cartographers of the time. Their involvement in the reissue of the “Atlas Universel” in the late 18th century is particularly notable. Originally created by French cartographers Gilles and Didier Robert de Vaugondy, the atlas was revised and reissued by Venetian cartographer Paolo Santini and his brother Francesco in 1776. Recognising the value and importance of the work, Paolo Santini transferred the publication rights to M. Remondini in 1777. Under the Remondini imprint, the atlas gained wider distribution, further solidifying the family’s role in advancing geographical understanding.

The Remondini publishing house was celebrated for its high-quality engravings and meticulous attention to detail. Their maps were not only tools for navigation and exploration but also works of art, adorned with ornate cartouches and decorative embellishments. These features made Remondini maps highly desirable among collectors and scholars.

The family’s influence extended beyond cartography. They were pivotal in the production of religious imagery, exporting their works to markets across Europe and even as far as South America. Their affordable prints became a staple in homes, churches, and educational institutions, contributing to the spread of religious and cultural ideas.

Despite the prominence of their name, specific details about individual members of the Remondini family, including “M. Remondini,” remain scarce. Their legacy, however, lies in the collective achievements of the family enterprise. By fostering collaborations with cartographers and producing high-quality prints, the Remondini family left an indelible mark on the intellectual and cultural history of Europe. Their work remains a testament to the transformative power of the printing press in shaping the modern world.

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