Carte de la Baie de Chesapeake [inset map] Plan de la Baie Herring en Maryland

• Main Authors: Sartine, Antoine, Depot de la Marine
• Format: Map
• Language: unknown
• Published: Depot de la Marine 1778
• Subjects: American Revolution; Nautical Charts; Greenland; Groenland
• Online Access: https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~359489~90126263; https://media.davidrumsey.com/MediaManager/srvr?mediafile=/Size4/RUMSEY~8~1/213/15933022.jpg

"First Edition. A Nearly Flawless Example. The French Navy's Official Atlas of the American Coasts During the Revolution. "A collection of very beautiful charts of the coast of North America, with plans of the ports and harbours" - Sabin The Neptune Americo-Septentrional, a seminal collection of nautical charts, was published during the height of the American Revolutionary War, under the auspices of Antoine Sartine, Minister of the French Navy. This atlas, first released for the strategic use of the French Navy, encapsulates an extensive survey of the North American coastline, stretching from Greenland to the Gulf of Mexico, including Florida, Louisiana, and various significant ports and rivers. This atlas represents a critical moment in maritime history, produced amidst the geopolitical turbulence of the late 18th century. Its creation coincided with a period marked by the American Revolution and the ensuing recalibration of colonial powers. Antoine Sartine, notable for his efforts in modernizing the French fleet, orchestrated the compilation of these charts, underscoring the strategic maritime importance of North America during this era. The detailed maps and plans within the atlas were integral to naval operations, offering unprecedented precision and breadth in depicting the American Atlantic coast and its adjoining waterways. The Neptune Americo-Septentrional draws upon both French and foreign cartographic sources, augmented by authentic manuscript plans and aligned with contemporary astronomical observations. The atlas includes 36 charts and plans, showcasing key locations such as Chesapeake Bay, the ports of Boston Harbor, Charleston Harbor, Narragansett Bay, Port Royal, New York Harbor and the Delaware Bay and River to Philadelphia. Other important charts cover Florida, the Gulf Coast and Cape Fear, North Carolina. Notably, William Faden, the preeminent English cartographer, acquired three copies of the atlas, distributing them to influential figures including the hydrographer to the East India Company, ...