Map of Louisiana and of the River Mississipi (sic), A
Colonial Louisiana
Browne, Daniel
London
Original located 1980.014.06.
Label from 1996 exhibition of the original of this map:
The British imitation of Deslisle's 1718 map, described as "a most impudent plagiarism" by one reviewer, does not include Deslisle's reference to the French priority of settlement and does not represent as large an area as does Deslisle's map.
The decorative elements of this map portray Europe's belief that fabulous riches awaited those who came to the new world. The left side represents the New World's agricultural wealth while the right symbolizes mineral wealth. Sitting atop the elaborately engraved title cartouche is a winged female figure personifying fame. She holds a laurel branch in one hand, a trumpet in the other. A cherub holds an upright cornucopia filled with agricultural bounties, and sugar cane grows below. Another cherub pours coins from an overturned cornucopia toward two cheribim, busily working in a mine--presumably a gold or silver mine. The male figure holding an overturned urn with water pouring forth personifies the Mississippi River.
From "A New and General Atlas."
British edition of Deslisle's 1718 Carte de la Louisiane et du Cours du Mississipi; does NOT locate New Orleans; thus is probably derivative of Deslisle's first edition of the 1718 Carte de....
The decorative elements of this map portray Europe's belief that fabulous riches awaited those who came to the new world. The left side represents the New World's agricultural wealth while the right symbolizes mineral wealth. Sitting atop the elaborately engraved title cartouche is a winged female figure personifying fame. She holds a laurel branch in one hand, a trumpet in the other. A cherub holds an upright cornucopia filled with agricultural bounties, and sugar cane grows below. Another cherub pours coins from an overturned cornucopia toward two cheribim, busily working in a mine--presumably a gold or silver mine. The male figure holding an overturned urn with water pouring forth personifies the Mississippi River.