Catalog Archive
Auction 153, Lot 716

Scarce Wall-Sized Map of the Pacific Ocean in Four Sheets

"[On 4 Sheets] Oceanie ou Cinquieme Partie du Monde Comprenant l'Archipel d'Asie, l'Australasie et la Polynesie...", Brue, Adrien Hubert

Subject: Pacific Ocean

Period: 1814 (dated)

Publication: Grand Atlas Universel

Color: Hand Color

Size:
29.1 x 19.1 inches
73.9 x 48.5 cm
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This gigantic four-sheet map of the Pacific Ocean gives excellent detail of the numerous islands in the Pacific as well as the surrounding continents. North America is shown nearly in full, with the extensive network of rivers and lakes depicted. Present-day United States is divided into Etats-Unis, Louisiane, and Nouveau Mexique. Only a few states and cities are identified, primarily along the East Coast. In Asia, detail is confined to the coasts, and the numerous islands throughout Southeast Asia are well depicted and labeled. In the South Pacific, New Guinea is still only partially delineated, and the southern coastline is quite rudimentary. The coastline of Australia (Nouvelle Hollande) is complete and there is an abundance of information along the coasts, based in part on an expedition to Australia led by Nicolas Baudin from 1800-1803, which Brue accompanied as a teenager. The only inland detail is a small portion of the Blue Mountains based on the 1813 expedition of Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson, and William Charles Wentworth. A small inset adjacent to New Zealand depicts the islands to the south. The map is dedicated to the Count of Artois, later known as Charles X after being crowned King of France one decade after this map was published. Below the title is an analysis of the sources of the chart listed by geographic region, including Freycinet, Flinders, Arrowsmith, d'Anville, Dalrymple, Vancouver, la Perouse, and many others. If joined, the map would measure approximately 58 x 38".

References: Phillips (Atlases) #726.

Condition: B+

Nice impressions and original outline color on sturdy, watermarked paper with wide, original margins. There is light scattered foxing and minor soiling. Remnants of hinge tape on verso.

Estimate: $2,000 - $2,400

Sold for: $1,100

Closed on 5/20/2015

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