A fine early detailed map of the Island of Madagascar. From 1648 Nicolas Sanson produced a series of four quarto atlases on the continents. That of Africa was first published in 1656 and included this map. Isle Maurice or Mauritius is depicted offshore. Sanson was France’s premier cartographer and helped to lift the field onto another level during his career. Pastoureau Sanson IA no. 15; Shirley BL Atlases T.5a no. 24.