1798 Plan of New Orleans Louisiana

Exactly how many toesas in an arpent? This quite fascinating 36" x 50" map of the 1798 plan of New Orleans, translated and annotated in 1875, is delightfully unique. In addition to showing the layout of the fortified city in the late 1700s (what would become known as the 'French Quarter'), the map shows the extent and location of cypress swamps, bayous, old roads, and plantation ownership, with the details of historic land sale transactions printed right on the map. The text is both fun and historically beguiling. It hints at the confiscation of the Jesuit plantation by "his most christian Majesty," and hints at disputed land transactions. The measurements cited on the map are in toesas, arpents and perches, an old french system of measurement. 

The map notes the location of the original slaughterhouse, sawmill, customs house, church, hospitals, barracks, etc., including Fort St. John on Lake Ponchartrain. Of special interest is the notation of the extent to which the channel of the Mississippi River migrated between 1798 and 1875! 

The map is printed on Arches BFK Rives 100% Cotton Rag paper, handmade at the Blanchet Frères & Kléber paper mill in Rives, France on a traditional cylinder paper mould. The subtle pattern of the paper fibers is visible in oblique lighting, and lends a rich and elegant appearance to the whole map.  

* NOTE: This is a carefully crafted print of the highest quality, but it is not the original work.

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