Martinique Map by Rigobert Bonne – French Antique Map, c.1768
€ 220
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1768
Sheet size
22 × 30 cm (8.7 × 11.8 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13618-41
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Good condition overall. A strong impression with bright, original hand-color outlines. General age toning, faint offsetting, and a vertical fold as issued in the atlas. Margins ample all around for framing.
About this sheet
Map of Martinique by Rigobert Bonne, circa 1768
This is a detailed antique map of Martinique titled “Isle de la Martinique,” engraved by Rigobert Bonne around 1768 for the Atlas Encyclopédique. Bonne, a renowned French hydrographer and successor to Bellin, is celebrated for his scientifically precise and elegantly engraved maps.
The map shows Martinique with its mountainous interior, rivers, and settlements labeled, including Fort Royal, Fort St. Pierre, Le Marin, and Le Prêcheur. Coastal features, bays, and capes are marked, along with anchorages important for maritime navigation in the 18th century. The depiction includes relief shown pictorially, characteristic of Bonne’s cartographic style, enhancing both geographic understanding and aesthetic appeal.
This copperplate engraving retains original hand coloring outlining the coastlines in delicate blue and brown tones, typical for the period. It served as a key reference for scholars, navigators, and colonial administrators during France’s colonial presence in the Caribbean.
Good condition overall. A strong impression with bright, original hand-color outlines. General age toning, faint offsetting, and a vertical fold as issued in the atlas. Margins ample all around for framing.
Framing suggestions: This historic Caribbean map would look distinguished floated in a black, walnut, or gold frame with UV-protective glass to preserve its colors. Consider a neutral archival mat to highlight its refined engraving in a study, library, or maritime collection wall.
