Description
copper engraving.
Map from “Atlas Portatif, universel et militaire, 1749-1799”; pl. 169 [with year 1749 in cartouche]. Gilles Robert de Vaugondy (1688-1766) was the head of a leading family of geographers in 18th century France. Gilles got his start when he jointly inherited the shop of Pierre-Moullart Sanson, grandson of the famous geographer Nicholas Sanson. The inheritance included the business, its stock of plates, and a roller press. In 1760 Gilles became geographer to King Louis XV. His son, Didier Robert de Vaugondy (ca. 1723-1786), was also a geographer and the two worked together. They were known for their exactitude and depth of research. In 1757, they produced the Atlas Universel, considered an authority for many years.
