Impressive map of the Western Hemisphere from the English publisher, William Faden, based on an the classic New World map by J. B. B. d’Anville. Faden updated d’Anville’s map in accordance with the many recent discoveries of Captain Cook and J.-F. de Galaup de La Perouse along the western coast of North America and in the Pacific. The cartography is generally conservative, e.g., as it refers to but does not depict the fictitious Sea of the West in North America. Included are several textual notes regarding discoveries and voyages, including the farthest south or “Nee Plus Ultra” achieved by Cook in 1774.

The map provides a fascinating depiction of North America when details of the western and northern coasts are just coming into view. As an English map improving a French source, it demonstrates the shift in cartographic dominance from France to England in the late 18th century.