Antique Print of Amsterdam and St. Paul island by Bellin (1753)

Description: Antique print titled 'Isle d'Amsterdam, Isle St. Paul'. Two images on one sheet depicting Amsterdam and St. Paul island. The Dutch captain Anthonie van Diemen named it island Nieuw Amsterdam after his ship on 17 June 1633 in turn named after the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam that later became New York City. St.Paul Island, Île Saint-Paul was first discovered in 1559 by the Portuguese. The island was mapped, described in detail and painted by members of the crew of the Nau São Paulo, among them the Father Manuel Alvares and the chemist Henrique Dias. Originates from Prévost's 'Histoire générale des voyages'. 

Artists and Engravers: J.N. Bellin was hydrographer of France's hydrographic office, member of the Académie de Marine and of the Royal Society of London. Over a 50 year career, he produced a large number of maps of particular interest to the Ministère de la Marine.