Les Isles Philippines Molucques et de la Sonde

Nicolas Sanson d’Abbeville (1600-67) was perhaps the greatest cartographer of 17th century France — a period of France’s political ascendancy in Europe and also a period in which French cartographers displaced the Dutch as Europe’s leading map makers.

As a young man, he attracted the attention of Cardinal Richelieu and, in time, became Géographe Ordinaire du Roi for Louis XIII and Louis XIV, both of whom he personally instructed in geography. Under Louis XIII, Sanson became a minister of state. Sanson has become known as the “father of French cartography,” and his influence is such that the sinusoidal projection he employed has become known as the “Sanson-Flamsteed projection,” recognizing the impact of Sanson (Flamsteed was an English astronomer royal from 1675 to his death in 1719).

Pierre Mariette I (1569–1657) was an influential French publisher and engraver recognized for developing French cartography and publishing during the early 17th century. Initially, Mariette focused on publishing art prints but pivoted to cartography after purchasing map plates from Melchior Tavernier in 1644. He partnered with Nicolas Sanson, a foundational figure in French cartography, to produce detailed folio maps and atlases. In this collaboration, Sanson provided geographic expertise and map designs, while Mariette managed engraving, printing, and distribution. Their maps often included both their imprints, reflecting their partnership’s close, interdependent nature.

Mariette’s legacy extended beyond his lifetime, though disputes over rights to the plates emerged between Sanson and Mariette’s heirs after Mariette’s death. A legal settlement in 1674 allocated most plates to Sanson’s family, leading to a mixture of attributions in later editions of the maps. Pierre Mariette’s contributions laid the groundwork for the Mariette family, who continued to impact French publishing and mapmaking well into the 18th century, establishing the Mariette name as synonymous with high-quality cartographic and artistic publishing in France.

Even age-toning and some marginal wear.

Quirino, p. 83; BMC Printed Maps XII, col.867; Cat.Nat.mar.Mus.271, map 15; Nordenskjöld 275, vol.1, map 17; pastoureau, Sanson V, map 12.