1771 - "CARTE DU ROYAUME D'ANGLETERRE"

A highly detailed and decorative map of England and Wales and part of Ireland. Divided by country, the map notes all the major cities, towns, rivers, lakes and topography throughout.

Overall size of map is 52cm x 35cm with large margins, perfect for mounting & framing.

Excellent overall condition with original outline hand colour and the centrefold, as issued. Blank on verso.

Rigobert Bonne (1727 - 1794) was one of the most important French cartographers of the late 18th century. Bonne was born in Ardennes at Raucourt, France. He taught himself mathematics and by eighteen was a working engineer. During the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748), he served as a military engineer at Berg-op-Zoom. In the subsequent years, Bonne became one of the most respected masters of mathematics, physics and geography in Paris. In 1773, Bonne succeeded Jacques-Nicolas Bellin as Royal Cartographer to France in the office of the Hydrographer at the Depot de la Marine. Working in his official capacity, Bonne compiled some of the most detailed and accurate maps of the period - most on equal-area projection known erroneously as the 'Bonne Projection'.

Bonne's work represents an important step in the evolution of the cartographic ideology away from the decorative work of the 17th century and early 18th century towards a more scientific and practical aeshetic. While mostly focusing on coastal regions, the work of Bonne is high regards for its details, historical importance and overall aesthetic appeal. Bonne died of edema in 1794, but his son Charles-Marine Rigobert Bonne continued to publish his work well after his father's death.