A finely engraved, large-scale map of the world on Mercator’s Projection by Jacques Nicolas Bellin commissioned by the Dépôt des Cartes et Plans de la Marine for use by the French navy during the latter half of the 18th century. First issued in 1755, this later version of the map has been updated to show the discoveries of Captain James Cook found during his voyages in the Pacific from 1768 to 1779. Among the significant revisions in this version are the completion of the coastline of New Zealand, a much-improved presentation of the eastern coastline of Australia (Nouvelle Hollande), the addition, repositioning and renaming of several South Pacific islands and the appearance of the Hawaiian Islands (Isles Sandwich). The northern Pacific coastlines of North America and Asia were also substantially updated based on discoveries of Cook and the earlier expeditions by Vitus Behring with large gaps in the map now completed and the addition of the Behring Strait (Det. du Nord). The map is decorated with a compass rose and two cartouches, each surrounded by a finely engraved floral frame. The title cartouche contains a dedication to M. de Machault, Keeper the Seal of France and Secretary of the Navy while the “Avertissement” cartouche explains the presentation of the map to the reader. Blank verso. Other than some overall light toning, the map is finely coloured, dark impression with full margins on heavy, stable paper in excellent condition. 54 cm x 82 cm