1943 Jylbert Pictorial Map of Gabon and Equatorial Guinea

This is an intriguing 1943 Jylbert pictorial map of Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. When this map was issued, France was occupied by Nazi Germany. As part of French Equatorial Africa, Gabon was opposed to the collaborationist Vichy Regime and allied with de Gaulle's Free French.

A Closer Look

Coverage embraces from the border with Camerout to the Nyagha River, incorporating Gabon and Guinée Espagnole (Equatorial Guinea). Libreville and Bata appear along the coast just above the center. Gabonese villages are illustrated as clusters of thatched huts in the midst of dense tropical foliage. Illustrations of Gabonese engaged in various activities appear alongside elephants, monkeys, and warriors. Stylized portraits of a Gabonese man and woman occupy the lower right, one of which holds a monkey.

Gabon and French Colonization

French interaction with the people of Gabon began in February 1839 when a mutual defensive and offensive alliance was signed between a French naval officer (representing the French government) and a Gabonese king. The first French fort was established in 1843, and after the French captured the Brazilian slave ship Elizia off the coast of Loango in 1849, the French established Libreville as a place for the formerly enslaved people to live. French explorers penetrated the Gabonese interior during the latter half of the 19th century, laying down treaties with indigenous communities. Gabon was declared part of the French colonial empire in July 1886. In 1910, Gabon became part of French Equatorial Africa, along with French Congo, Ubangi-Shari, and Chad. French Equatorial Africa existed until 1958, when Gabon requested admission to the French state as a formal department of France. The French government denied their application but granted Gabon independence on August 17, 1960.

Gabon and World War II

After the Fall of France in June 1940, Gabon was the only part of French Equatorial Africa that did not immediately rally to General Charles de Gaulle and Free France, instead loosely allying with the Vichy Regime. De Gaulle was irritated by Gabon's unwillingness to join the Free French because he wanted to use French Equatorial Africa as a base to attack Italian Libya. De Gaulle invaded Gabon from Douala, Cameroon on November 5, 1940. Libreville was captured on November 10, and Vichy forces surrendered without a fight at Fort Gentil on November 12.

Publication History and Census

This map was created by Jylbert and published by 'BD' in France in 1943. This piece does not appear in OCLC, and we have found only a couple of instances when it appeared on the private market.