Giambattista Albrizzi, Carta Geografica Della Florida Nell America Settentrionale, 1740, Map #89222, Map Collection, Archives and Records Program, Texas General Land Office, Austin, TX.

Carta geografica della Florida nell’ America settentrionale, 1740

Geographic Map of Florida in North America

This map by the notable Venetian collector and publisher Giambattista Albrizzi depicts the French claims to Florida prior to the Treaty of Utrecht.

Detail on the “fortified” town of Charleston.

Based on the early work of the influential Guillaume de L’Isle (Delisle), the map features the names of indigenous people and regions in Italian.

A small church-like icon is used to mark towns; more elaborate red depictions highlight the fortified city of St. Augustine, and those of Tampico, Charleston, Philadelphia, and the indigenous villages of Mahock and Manakin in Virginia, which were abandoned upon the arrival of Europeans.

Detail on the area that would become Texas, and a portion of the Mississippi River basin. Here, the area that would become Texas is referred to as Cadodaquio.

The emphasis on the area allowed for greater detail of the Gulf’s coastline, including a detailed rendition of the Mississippi River Delta and Texas bays.

Despite the existing Spanish settlements in the region, the name “Texas” does not appear on the map; instead Albrizzi identified it as Cadodaquio, an early name for the Caddo Indians.

Detail of title block shows natives hunting African lions and deer.

The allegorical cartouche includes palms, deer, and natives hunting African lions near the coast.

A reproduction of this map can be purchased on the GLO website.