"[Lot of 3] Plan of Carterets Harbour in St. Georges Sound New-Britain, 1767 [and] Plan of Byrons Bay on St. Cruz Island 1767 [on sheet with] Swallow, or Water Bay, on St. Cruz Island 1767 [and] Plan of Port Praslin...", Dalrymple, Alexander

The first two charts represent locations discovered by Philip Carteret on his circumnavigation on behalf of the Royal Navy in 1767, and the last chart is based on Jean-Francois-Marie de Surville's expedition in the ship St. Jean Baptiste in 1769. These charts were published by Alexander Dalrymple, a Scottish hydrographer who explored the East Indies as an employee of the East India Company and became the first Hydrographer of the British Admiralty. Each chart includes the engraved seal of the Hydrographical Office.

A. Plan of Carterets Harbour in St. Georges Sound New-Britain, 1767, dated 1781. Engraved by W. Harrison. This map depicts Lamassa Bay along the southwestern coast of New Ireland in Papua New Guinea (although incorrectly noted as New Britain in the title).

B. Plan of Byrons Bay on St. Cruz Island 1767 [on sheet with] Swallow, or Water Bay, on St. Cruz Island 1767, dated 1782. Engraved by T. Harmar. These two bays lie on the north coast of Santa Cruz Island in the Solomon Islands. A simple fleur-de-lis orients north to the bottom.

C. Plan of Port Praslin..., dated 1781. Engraved by T. Harmar. This port is believed to be on the northeast end of Santa Isabel Island in the Solomon Islands. A note indicates: "This port appears to be formed by islands; the greater part are overflowed by the sea, which runs up to the foot of the mountains that are cloathed with woods. This plan except about the [anchorage] is not laid down geometrically." A simple fleur-de-lis orients north to the bottom.

References: Perry & Prescott #1781.A02, #1781.A06, #1782.A01.

Condition: B+

Each engraving is pasted onto a second sheet, apparently as issued. Light soiling with a few spots of foxing, primarily along the borders.