Large Engraved World Map by Pierre Duval

Carte Universelle du Monde. Pierre Duval (1618-1683). Engraved map in four sheets with original color in outline. Paris, 1679-1684. Each sheet 23 3/4 x 17 1/4 inches. The largest of Duval's world maps, and one of the few maps produced in seventeenth century France. Of interest are the tracks of three voyages, those of J. le Maire across the Pacific; that of an anonymous attempt "tenue lan 1665 pour aller au Iapon et a la Chine", crossing Button Bay and pointing towards California Island; and that of an uncompleted route through the north-east passage skirting Novaya Zemlya. Pierre Duval was one of the most influential and prolific mapmakers and publishers working in Paris in the third quarter of the seventeenth century. He was the son-in-law of Nicolas Sanson, the leading French mapmaker of the period, and Geographer to the King of France from 1650. He was also responsible for providing maps for other Parisian editors of the period; Jollain, De Fer and Berey among others.