HAVANA
£125
Attractive example of Mallet's copper engraved 'Birds Eye' view of Havana. This is the first edition (French) as opposed to later German edition.
Shows clearly the town and the cathedral on right, the entrance to harbour protected by forts of each side and even the chain across canal.
It was well protected as it was located at a convenient stopping place for ships traveling between Spain and New Spain it became the key port of the Spanish Empire in the Americas. It grew and prospered. The ships needed fresh water, dried meat, leather and wood for repairs.
Galleons in front of image. Good hand colour.
Good hand colour
Very good condition.
code : M5356
Cartographer : Mallet Alain
Date : 1683 Paris
Size : 15*10.5 cms sheet 20*14 cms
availability : Available
Price : £125
Alain Manesson Mallet (1630-1706) was a French cartographer and engineer.
He started his career as a soldier in the army of Louis XIV, became a Sergeant-Major in the artillery and an Inspector of Fortifications. He also served under the King of Portungal, before returning to France, and his appointment to the court of Louis XIV. His military engineering and mathematical background led to his position teaching mathematics at court.
His major publications were Description de L'Univers (1683) in 5 volumes, and Les Travaux de Mars ou l'Art de la Guerre (1684) in 3 volumes.
His Description de L'Universe contains a wide variety of information, including star maps, maps of the ancient and modern world, and a synopsis of the customs, religion and government of the many nations included in his text. It has been suggested that his background as a teacher led to his being concerned with entertaining his readers. This concern manifested itself in the charming harbor scenes and rural landscapes that he included beneath his description of astronomical concepts and diagrams. Mallet himself drew most of the figures that were engraved for this book.
