Jacques Devaulx. Nautical Works

500 years after the founding of the French seaport Le Havre, TASCHEN presents a reprint of the illuminated manuscript "Les premières oeuvres de Jacques Devaulx, pilote en la marine," completed in 1583 by Jacques Devaulx, who hailed from Le Havre (circa 1557-1597). As a sailor, hydrographer, cosmographer, and "King's pilot," Devaulx compiled in this beautifully illustrated work all that his era, rich in new discoveries, knew about the expanse of continents and oceans, navigation, and the art of sailing. He drew upon extensive notes, records, and observations he had brought back from his own sea voyages to America.

Intended as an illustrated reference work for sailors, combining practical nautical knowledge with the current state of knowledge in astronomy, cartography, geography, and trigonometry, as well as serving as a precious representation object for his royal patrons, Devaulx elaborates in his elaborately commented and decorated manuscript on the construction and functioning of nautical instruments such as the astrolabe and Jacob's staff, methods of tide calculation, showcases harbor views, and presents detailed world maps and charts of the Atlantic Ocean, along with astrological tables and measurements of the sun's position. Also included are Devaulx's volvelles, movable disks that are now considered early precursors of the paper analog computer. Overall, the folio sheets encapsulate the knowledge of the time when sailors fundamentally expanded the frontiers of marine exploration.

TASCHEN's reprint of "Les premières oeuvres de Jacques Devaulx, pilote en la marine" fully reproduces the manuscript consisting of 31 folio sheets and impressively showcases Devaulx's colorful illuminations, particularly the volvelles. The volume includes two introductory essays by Jean-Yves Sarazin and Gerhard Holzer, as well as explanatory notes.