The following lot comprises of two maps of Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana.

 1) "Isle de Cayenne"

Alain Manesson Mallet: Paris, 1683.

Copper plate map of Cayenne, from Mallet's 'Description de l'Univers'. The map shows rivers, Fort St Louis and islands.

The sea is named 'Mer de Nort' or North sea, which was the name given to the Atlantic ocean at that time.

There is a dramatic sea battle shown of the coast.

French text to Verso.

Sheet size: 20.7 x 13.3 cm.

2) "Cayenne. Engrav'd for Luffman's Select Plans"

(Cayenne, a strong Town, the Capital of the French Settlements in South America situated on an Island of the same name at the mouth of the River Amazon) John Luffman: London, 1801.

Map of the defences of Cayenne, published in Luffman's 'Select Plans of the Principal Cities, Harbours, Forts &c. in the World'. During the Napoleonic Wars the supremecy of the Royal Navy meant that Cayenne was cut off from French support, so was severely weakened.

Realising this, Britain persuaded the Portuguese Government in exile in Brazil to launch an attack on the city. With the aid of only one British ship, HMS Confiance, the town was easily captured.

The Treaty of Vienna returned it to France in 1814, but it was not until 1817 that France took formal possession.

Blank verso.

Sheet size: 22.5 x 17.5 cm.

Shipment to be arranged via registered mail.