Vues de quelques Caps et Îles de la Côte du Nord Ouest et des Côtes du Sud-Ouest et du Sud de l'Amérique.

Striking and highly detailed refined unusual copper engraved George Vancouver's 1799 view sheet depicting various capes explored by Vancouver and his officers during this historic exploration of the western coast of America. This sheet features nine beautifully rendered views detailing, from top: Tscherikow Island, Alaska (Chirikof Island); Port Chatham, Alaska; Wingham Island, Alaska; Port Alexander, Alaska (Cap Ommaney); Cabo St. Lucas, Mexico (Cap St. Lucas de la Californie); the Mary Islands, Mexico (Islas Marias or Iles Marie); Cabo Corrientes, Mexico (Cap Corientes); Deigo Ramierz Islands, Cape Horn, Chile (Ilot de Diego Ramierez); and Valparaiso, Chile (Sude de Valparaiso, La Pointe Quraumilla). Vancouver and his officers drew these views while traveling northwards to begin their epic 1791-1794 explorations of the Pacific Northwest. This view sheet features some of the earliest nautical shore profiles of the western American coastline ever published.
 
This particular example of Vancouver's view sheet was issued as plate no. 16 in the highly desirable 1799 French edition of Vancouver's Atlas. The rare and coveted French edition is more beautifully produced, with better engraving, higher-quality paper, and more detail than the 1798 English edition.