Jacques Nicolas Bellin
1703-1772, French Cartographer & Publisher
Find Maps by Jacques Nicolas Bellin
Jacques Nicolas Bellin is best known in Ireland for his large folio format sea-charts, from the 'Atlas Maritime' and the 'Hydrographie Francaise'. These large charts were amongst the best of their period and their success saw them being re-issued throughout most of the second half of the eighteenth century.
Bellin was one of the most prolific French cartographers of the mid-eighteenth century. he spent over 50 years at the French Hydrographic Service, and was its' first 'Ingenieur Hydrographe de la Marine'.
His output of large folio format charts was enormous, but he also issued the 'Petit Atlas Maritime' in 1764 which contained almost 580 small detailed charts, a truely unbelievable production in its day, especially considering the high standard of accuracy and the quality of engraving.
Bellin was Hydrographer to the King and a member of the Royal Society in London.
His large maps of Ireland are indeed very impressive items, especially when coloured. Their size, quality of paper stock and level of detail have made them very desirable, even to the non-collector. His small maps can still be acquired for modest prices at the moment.
