One of the most important early maps of Canada and the Great Lakes

A rare map of Canada showing the discoveries of Samuel de Champlain, engraved in 1616 during his return to France but first published half-a-century later after Pierre du Val acquired the plate. The attribution to Champlain was only possible after the John Carter Brown Library acquired a unique example of the original state in 1953. Dated 1616 and unfinished, it is believed to be the work of Gabriel Tavernier (father of Melchoir), engraved either for Champlain's 'Voyage et descouvertes faites en la Nouvelle France', published 1619, or a more secretive report for the government. Why is seems to be unpublished is a mystery: even the John Carter Brown example is a du Val printing when he was planning his alterations. The map shows from Hudson Bay and Greenland south to Chesapeake Bay, with the St Lawrence west to a suggestion of the entrance to Lake Superior, with a 34-point key. For his first published state of 1653, du Val made many additions, with new coastlines in the Arctic (including the fictitious 'Frobisher Strait' in Greenland) and adding names, for example 'N. Plymue' (New Plymouth).