A later edition of the ‘Atlas General Methodique et Elementaire’ by Louis Charles Desnos first issued in 1770. Here in its ‘moyen papier’ form with additional side panels of text to each plate. A new slightly reworded single page title engraved by K. Audran has dropped the ‘Methodique’. The price of this issue is now 42 livres, up from the 40 livres for the 1770 edition. The key map of France previously unnumbered (pl. 14) is now properly accounted for with new plates numbers in the left-hand panel which now matches the list of contents. This example includes an additional double page title for ‘Atlas National et General de la France en 20 Cartes’ when there are only 15 maps as before. Each regional map now contains the engraved borders of the new ‘Departements’. Whilst the pagination in the left panel of text matches the contents, the maps themselves bear different pagination clearly related to the title page. Map numbers 1-3 (presumably general maps), 9, and 20 are omitted.

The maps are provided by Louis Brion de la Tour and the descriptive text by Jean Charles Maclot. Whilst the double-hemispheric world map and American continental map include a large Sea of the West, the more detailed one of North America excludes it referring to the discoveries of the Russians. Both unaltered features from the earlier edition. However, North America now identifies ‘Les Etats Unis’ both in the title and on the map, although its borders remain the same as the English colonies before extending only to the Appalachian Mountains. Similarly, a few placenames are added such as Augusta, Wilmington, Edenton, ‘Williamsbourg’, Annapolis, Bristol, Amboy, and Winchester. The Australian continent retains a conjectured east coast despite the recent discoveries of Cook. Most of the maps are dated 1790, however both the Low Countries maps and that of Bavaria are dated 1792. This is of note as it was in this year that the French Republic was claimed. These alterations were clearly made before Louis XVI was deposed as the initials A.P.D.R. (avec privilege du Roi) are present.

Louis Charles Desnos (1725-1805) was a noted mapmaker, globe maker, and publisher in Paris. Desnos was not the most successful of Parisian publishers, he went bankrupt in 1784. Despite being appointed globe maker to the King of Denmark he spent most of his life in Paris. He had a particular penchant for road books producing several of France. Louis Brion de la Tour (fl.1756-1803) was a military engineer and Geographer to the King. Jean Charles Maclot (1728-1805) was a professor of mathematics, cosmography, and history. Refer Phillips (1909-) 658; refer Shirley (2004) T.Desn 8a.