Description
Small engraved portrait of Jean-Batiste de Mannevillette (1707-1780). Mannevillette had studied under the royal cartographer Guillaume de L’Isle and was one of the first to use the method of measuring distances from the sun and moon to determine latitude. He took part in numerous voyages to the East and was made director of the Depot des Cartes et Plans de la Navigation des Indes. All French ships navigating the Indian Ocean used these charts and as a consequence of this on board use, many are found in poor and damaged condition.
References: Moreland p.134
