A magnificent two-sheet map of the interior of North America by Gerard van Keulen (1678-1726). It is derived from the incredibly rare four-sheet separately published map by Nicolas de Fer published in 1718. It was published at the height of the Mississippi Bubble reflecting the recent expansion of French possessions in North America following the founding of New Orleans in 1718. French claims to New France or Canada extended westwards beyond the Great Lakes and with the founding of New Orleans enabling control of the Mississippi Basin, the English colonies were effectively hemmed in to the east coast. It set up the future conflicts through much of the eighteenth century between England and France.This map was issued no doubt to meet the interest in what became the Mississippi Bubble. In August 1717 John Law from Scotland was granted a twenty-five-year monopoly on trade in the Mississippi Valley. His ‘Compagnie d’Occident’ is referred to in the title. The Compagnie was absorbing customs and trade privileges rapidly and converted the entire state debt into company shares in August 1719. This is estimated to have been 200-400% of GDP (Global Financial Data)! The subsequent Mississippi Bubble in share prices was one of the most famous economic bubbles in history.The map extends from the east coast westwards to include much of the Spanish southwest in New Mexico. Its focus though is undoubtably the newly founded settlements in Louisiana. Two insets highlight the mouth of the river and the immediate coastline nearby. The latter is derived from the manuscript by Soupart from 1716 and includes ‘Fort de Bilocci’. The English trading route from Carolina to the headwaters of the Mobile River and onward to the Mississippi highlights trading routes in the area.To the west of the Mississippi the discoveries of Jean Baptiste le Moyne de Bienville are recorded One of the key possibilities the map points out is the close trading route possibilities between New France and the Mississippi Valley. Branches of the Illinois River are depicted close to ‘les Checagou’ on Lake Michigan. This portage was identified by La Salle in 1682. Engraved by J. Kyser it was published by the talented Gerard van Keulen. He took the business founded by his father Johannes van Keulen (1654-1715) around 1678 and expanded its reputation. An engraver in his own right, he was a skilled mathematician and cartographer. These skills were recognised in 1714 when he was named Hydrographer to the Dutch East India Company. Holcomb (2024) pp. 100-101; Jackson (1995) pp. 36-9 & 58 (Soupart), 119 n. 108, pls. 14 & 15, pp. 37, 42, & 119-120, notes 108, 122 & 125; not in Kershaw (1993-98); Koeman (1967-70) p. 387 no. 320 Keu 113B no. 27; McCorkle (2001) 719.6; Nordenskiold (1979) 126 nos. 35 & 36; Sellers & Van Ee (1981) 178; Tooley’s Dictionary (1999-2004).