LA SAVOIE PAR LE P. PLACIDE
£145
Scarce map of Savoy Savoie.
Dezauche edition of Le Pere Placide de Sainte Helene's map of the Savoy region.
The map extends from Grenoble and Geneva in the west to the Piemonte. Includes a decorative globe atop the cartouche. Includes lotsdetail in this region of the southwestern Alps.
Well engraved showing mountains and rivers.
Mont Blanc marked by Chamunis.
Cartouche.
Original outline colour
Very good condition
code : M4415
Cartographer : DE L'ISLE Family
Date : 1705/ 1780 Paris
Size : 57*43 cms
availability : Available
Price : £145
Claude de l'Isle (1644-1720) was a geographer and historian working in Paris, but was overshadowed by his more famous son, Guillaume (1675-1726), who is probably the greatest figure in French cartography. Having learnt geography from his father, it is said that at the age of eight or nine he could draw maps to demonstrate ancient history. He studied mathematics and astronomy under J.D Cassini, where he received the grounding in scientific cartography, that is the hallmark of his work.
His first atlas was published in about 1700, in 1702 he was elected a member of the Academie Royale des Sciences, and in 1718 he became 'Premier Geographe du Roi'. His maps of the newly explored parts of the world reflect the most up-to-date information available and did not contain fanciful detail in the absence of solid information.
His work was important as marking a transition from the maps of the Dutch school, which were highly decorative and artistically-orientated, to a more scientific approach.
De L'Isle also played a prominent part in the recalculation of latitude and longitude, based on the most up-to-date celestial observations. His major contribution was in collating and incorporating this latitudinal and longitudinal information in his maps, setting a new standard of accuracy, quickly followed by many of his contemporaries. Guillaume De L'Isle's reputation was such that pirated versions appeared in many countries, most particularly by Chatelain and Covens and Mortier.
After his death in 1726 the business was continued by his nephew Philippe Buache, and subsequently by J. Dezauche.
