[Americana]. ÉLIOT (J.B.); MONDHARE (Louis Joseph). Carte du - Lot 314

[Americana]. ÉLIOT (J.B.); MONDHARE (Louis Joseph). Carte du théatre de la guerre actuel entre les anglais et les treize Colonies Unies de l'Amérique Septentrionale... Paris, Chez Mondhare, 1778. 1 copper-engraved map (82 x 56.5 cm. per sheet), hand-colored (restorations and small gaps at folds). Very rare map of North America, considered the first to name the "United States". "The earliest known map to include the name United States" (Schwartz & Ehrenberg). This map, published in Paris in 1778 after the Franco-American alliance, is considered the first to mention the name "United States". Its title, Les Treize Colonies Unies de l'Amérique Septentrionale, may contain the first cartographic reference to the country. It reflects recent events in the Revolutionary War, notably the American victory at Saratoga and France's entry into the conflict. The map traces the military movements of 1777, including Burgoyne's campaign and Howe's offensive towards Philadelphia. The geography seems to have been drawn from a variety of sources, combining French and English toponyms. The map testifies to the French interest in the Revolutionary War and their desire to disseminate the new political and military alliances.