First edition (1754) original copper plate engraving map with hand coloring by by Jacques Nicolas Bellin for Antoine François Prévost's "Atlas De Exiles L'Histoire Generale des Voyages", full title in French: "Carte du Golphe de Mexique Et Des Isles De L'Amerique Pour servir á l'Histoire Générale des Voyages" (Map of the Gulf of Mexico and the American Islands).  The map depicts Florida, the Gulf Coast,  Mexico's east coast, Central America, and the Caribbean.  It also shows the route of Ponce de Leon when he discovered Florida, Cortez's route in 1519, and that of De Cordova in 1517 and features a decorative title cartouche.
 
Framed to museum-grade standards in a handmade 1 1/4" wide, 1" high black scoop with gold bead wood frame, linen conservation mat, and protected by Tru Vue Optium Museum Acrylic® glazing .  Mat opening size 15 x 10 3/4 inches; overall size with frame: 21 x 17 inches.  As with all of our framed art, the frames and framing materials are new, and since framing is stored in a controlled environment away from light.  There are two vertical folds and one horizontal fold as issued; otherwise the map is in excellent condition.  An elegant display of an important map of the region.
 
Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703 - 1772), was one of the most important cartographers of the 18th century, with a career spanning some 50 years.  Compared to earlier 17th and 18th century cartographic work, Bellin's maps focus on function and accuracy tending.  Unlike many of his contemporaries, Bellin was always careful to cite his references.  Despite his success, he did not always enjoy his work, which is described as "long, unpleasant, and hard".  In addition to numerous maps and charts published during his lifetime, many of Bellin's maps published posthumously with updates.