Edward Wells; 1667-1732.

A scientist and Geography teacher at Oxford University, Wells produced maps highly regarded for their accuracy and their pleasing appearance.
In 1700, he produced "A new sett of maps of ancient and present geography", a very successful atlas printed by the Sheldonian theater in Oxford, which was re-edited several times between 1701 and 1738.

A new map of ancient Gaul or Gallia transalpina. .

This map (19 ¾" X 14 3/8") was designed for the 1700 atlas dedicated to the duke of Gloucester "A new sett of maps.".
It shows the Transalpine Gauls under roman occupation.
The top left inset depicts the administrative organization in four massive provinces as conceived by Julius Caesar: Belgiae, Celtae- sive Galli proprie dicti or Gaul proper -, Aquitani and Provincia Romanorum.
The large map bears across the center of France the name Gallia Comata (country of the long hair Gauls) and across the south: Gallia Togatae (county of the Gauls wearing togas, now Lombardy) and Gallia Braccata (country of the Gauls wearing trousers - braies -, now Provence and Languedoc).
The most fascinating aspect of this map is that it shows both the old coastal delineation (thin line in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean) and the modern coast line.
In 1682 Philippe de la Hire published a scientific map of France based in particular on recent discoveries made by Jean Dominique Cassini (the director of the french Royal Observatory), with respect to measurement of longitudes. This map showed that France was significantly smaller than previously thought, making the king complain that his academicians had lost more territory than his soldiers had conquered through various wars.
No text on verso.