Vaugondy, Robert de; Carte Generale des Decouvertes de L' Amiral de Fonte representant la Grande Probabilite d'un Passage au Nord Ouest par Thomas Jeffreys.., Diderot's Encyclopaedia, 1772. Folded engraved map measuring 13.5 inches high by 16.25 inches wide.
In archival sleeve, very minor toning to outer margin of map with map image crisp and bright.
The map is based on a hoax, possibly by Daniel Defoe, that was perpetrated in a London periodical in 1708. It centers on a fictitious Spanish Admiral de Fonte. De Fonte apparently, discovered a passage, the ' Strait of Juan de Fuca' through which he sailed north east until he met a ship from Boston that had come from Hudson Bay. The British Government believed the story and in 1745 offered £20,000 to anyone who could find the route. De Lisle also believed the story and in 1752 drew the map upon which this one is based. The non-existence of the passage was proved by the explorations of Mackenzie and by Captain Cook.