Nicolas de Fer (1646-1720), L'Amerique, Divisee Selon Letendue De Ses Principales Parties, Et Dont Les Points Principaux Sont Placez Sur Les Observations De Mes.rs De L'Academie Royale Des Sciences, Labeled 1739 (Originally 1698, 1717), Black and white line engraving with period hand color on laid paper, Published by Jacques Francois Benard; Nicolas Guerard (1648-1719) and Herman van Loon (fl. 1667-1674) engravers, 44-3/4 x 65-1/4 in., unframed Notes: This map has 17 separate illustrations. Starting at top left going clockwise, and roughly translated, they are: 1. Natives from Canada and around Louisiana. 2. Fishing for Cod fish Green & Dry on the large banks and Coast of New Foundland. 3. Ancient Mexicans. 4. Two natives making chocolate. 5. Portrait of Montezuma 6. People living in New Mexico. 7. Medallion portrait of Amerigo Vespucci 8. People from around the River La Plata 9. People living in Peru. 10. Medallion portrait of Columbus. 11. People living in Chile. 12. The Brazilians. 13. Medallion portrait of Artha Balipa 14. People living in Virginia. 15. Medallion portrait of Ferdinand Magellan. 16. Beavers in Niagara Canada 17. People who lived and settled Illinois.  The upper margin reads: L'AMERIQUE, DIVISEE SELON LETENDUE DE SES PRINCIPALES PARTIES, ET DONT LES POINTS PRINCIPAUX SONT PLACEZ SUR LES OBSERVATIONS DE MES.RS DE L'ACADEMIE ROYALE DES SCIENCES Dressee Par N. de Fer Geographe de su MAJESTE CATOLIQUE. A PARIS Chez JF Benard Gendre de l'Auteur dans l'Isle du Palais Sur le Quay de l'Orloge a la Sphere Royale avec Privilege du Roy 1717. The lower cartouche reads: AMERIQUE SEPTENTRIONALE ET MERIDIONALE Par N. de Fer Geographe de su MAJESTE CATHOLIQUE. A PARIS Chez J.F. Benard Gendre de l'Auteur Quay de l'Horloge de Palais a la Sphere Royale/ 1739. Literature: Dahl, Edward H., "The Original Beaver Map: De Fer's 1698 Wall Map of America," (Map Collector, no. 29), December 1984, pp. 22-26; Tooley, R. V., "California as an Island" in The Mapping of America, p. 128. Provenance: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Proceeds to Benefit the Acquisitions Fund fabric eyelet tabs mounted to verso top, mildew stain at top, old tear and repair to left-center from top to bottom, old tear and repair at central bottom measuring 3 in., foxing, flyspeck, toning, pinholes at bottom, possible retouch, collectors stamp in bottom left, session number on back in pencil, other tears and losses mended in conservation