LONDON.- On November 13, 2008 Sotheby’s London will auction a large, finely-engraved map of the northeast part of America, drawn by “The Father of New France”, Samuel de Champlain (est. £30,000-40,000). Champlain’s very rare map of 1612 is considered the most important single map in the history of Canada, and can be regarded as a foundation document for Canada.

The map is a highlight of Sotheby’s sale of Natural History, Travel, Atlases and Maps, and was drawn from his personal observations, made in over twenty voyages to Canada and New England. It is also the first printed map to allude to the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes system based on factual (rather than hearsay or imaginary) evidence.

Senior Specialist in Sotheby’s Books and Manuscripts department Catherine Slowther describes Champlain as “The driving force behind the initial success of French attempts at gaining a foothold in America”. The map accompanied the publication of Les voyages du Sieur de Champlain, which included large-scale plans for potential harbours, an important description, and promotional account, of Canada.