NOUVELLE PLAN ROUTIER DE LA VILLE ET FAUXBOURGS DE PARIS

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Large attractive and very detailed map of Paris issued and sold by Desnos from his premises in Rue St Jacques probably in a composite Atlas.

Renowned for borrowing other publishers maps this exact map was in fact published by Henault & Rapilly in Coutnces in 1787 , which was taken from their own earlier map of 1776, but with added decoration of a small inset plan of Versailles, the Louvre and oddly enough two theatres.

Desnos had just stuck over his imprint just above the date.

Beautifully engraved map with the much detail which made it probably not only the most accurate but also the most pleasing to the eye which was probably why Desnos had appropriated it for his composite atlas.

Large decorative cartouche. Legend/index down left and right sides.

A masterpiece of eighteenth century geography.

Very good condition.

Ref Les Plans de Paris J.Boutier Biblioteque National de France 330. And earler 324 & 305

code : M2969

Cartographer : DESNOS Louis

Date : 1787 Paris

Size : 55*78 cms

availability : Sold

Price : Sold

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Louis Charles Desnos (1728-1805) was a renowned mapmaker, globemaker and publisher of Paris. Throughout his considerable career Desnos worked with most of the eminent cartographers of his day. He came to control plates by Buy de Mornas, Brion de la Tour and Robert de Vaugondy amongst others and re-issued works by de Fer and Le Rouge. All this at a time when Paris could still be regarded as one of the largest centres of European map production.

Desnos first continued to work at the Hardy place in the rue Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre in Paris, but in 1757, when he became a freeman, he moved to a new place, at the sign of the Globe in rue Saint-Jacques.

From 1759 he called himself 'ingénieur-géographe et libraire du roi de Danemark'. In the 1760's Desnos extended his activities as a publisher of maps and books. Globe making became less important for him, perhaps because of the success of his main competitor Didier Robert de Vaugondy.

Desnos’ works included a wide variety of cartographic subjects. Notable works include the “Petit Atlas Elementaire …” (c.1865) and the “Atlas National Et Génèral De La France” (1790) as well as many more.