Antique Map of the Island Anjouan by Van Schley (c.1750)

Description: Antique map titled 'Carte de l'Isle d'Anjouan une des Isles de Comore'. Striking map of the Island Anjouan, part of the Comoros in the Indian Ocean by Nicolas Bellin. Source unknown, to be determined.

Artists and Engravers: Made by 'Jacob van der Schley' after 'Jacques Nicolas Bellin'. Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703-1772) was a French hydrographer, geographer and member of The Philosophes. His career, spanning over 50 years, caused an enormous outut in maps, particular of maritime interest. He was appointed the first Ingenieur Hydrographe de la Marine, and also Official Hydrographer to the French King. In smaller format, he issued the Petit Atlas Maritime (1764), which contained 580 charts, as well as maps to illustrate l' Abbe Prevost's Histoire Generale des Voyages (1746-1757). Bellin also produced a substantial number of important separately issued maps. Jakob van der Schley (1715-1779) was a Dutch draughtsman and engraver, who studied under Bernard Picart.