Phillippe Marie Vandermaelen

Published 1827, Brussels

Size: 18.25" X 20.75"

Description:

A rare map of the region near Lake Winnipeg and the inter-connected river system that was crucial for the fur trade.  Some of the important rivers depicted include the Skatehawan, the Terre Blanche, the Assinniboines, The Bourbon and the Rouge.  The map also depicts the locations of the English forts and factories associated with the two competing competitors of the fur trade in the Nortwest, the Hudson’s Bay Company and the Northwest Company.  Also of interest are the territorial location of the different Native populations who were essential partners in the fur trade. 
This map was published in Phillippe Vandermaelen’s Atlas Universel and is considered one of the most detailed depictions of the area in the early part of the 19th Century.
Vandermaelen’s Atlas is considered a monumental work.  In fact The David Rumsey Map Collection describes Vandermaelen’s Atlas as follows:
 
“This monumental work was the first atlas of the world with all maps on the same scale (and a large scale at that - about one inch to 26 miles) and the first lithographed world atlas. If all the maps were joined together they would form a globe of 7.75 meters in diameter (such a globe was made in Brussels). The maps were published originally in parts of ten maps each, beginning in 1825 and ending in 1827. Vandermaelen's maps are frequently misunderstood because each map is usually best comprehended in the context of its neighboring maps - the maps do not function well on their own, since they were all meant to be joined. Koeman states that "His atlases, although unique in concept and size did not possess that fine touch of cartographic style which make them attractive for a collector..." We strongly disagree - the graphic art of the maps must be appreciated in the context of lithography, a developing art at the time; as lithographs, they are very well done. For many of the areas depicted, these maps are the largest scale maps made at the time, and the most detailed (particularly in the American West). Maps are hand painted in outline color.”