Catalog Archive
Auction 187, Lot 47

Rare Separately Published Map of New Discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere

"Hemisphere Austral ou Antarctique Projette sur un Horizon dont le Zenith est Situe a 140 Degres de Longit? Orient? de l'Isle de Fer...", Robert de Vaugondy, Didier

Subject: South Pole

Period: 1777 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
24.4 x 25.4 inches
62 x 64.5 cm
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This rare, separately published map shows the most recent discoveries in the southern hemisphere, including Captain Cook's second voyage in search of Terra Australis. This example includes outline coloring to denote Cook's first voyage in green, his second voyage in red, and the antipode of the European continent in yellow superimposed over the South Pacific Ocean. This is the third state of this map, which was first published in 1773, and is significant for the numerous updates near the South Pole. In addition to the tracks of Cook's second voyage, these updates include more sightings of "moving ice" in a ring-shape around the South Pole, new information based on Yves-Joseph de Kerguelen's second voyage, and updates to islands in the South Pacific. Kerguelen's discovery of B de l'Oiseau, part of what is now known as the Kerguelen Islands, has been added along with a notation regarding his voyage. Another interesting addition to this third state is a long note at bottom regarding Cook's second voyage and the insights gained from it. Cook's exploration largely dispelled the myth of Terre Australe in favor of the existence of a Terre haute (tall land) that was iced over and uninhabitable. The note also explains that Europe's antipode lies largely over the ocean, with the exception of Spain, which corresponds with New Zealand. The map is surrounded by additional notes and a table of longitude and latitude. Engraved by E. Dussy.

This map is rarely found on the market, particularly with contemporary outline color.

References: Pedley #27; Tooley (Australia) #1004; Tooley (MCC-2) #73.

Condition: B+

Contemporary outline color on a bright sheet with a large eagle watermark, issued folding with light soiling and offsetting, a bit of scattered foxing mostly confined to the bottom blank margin, and a 1.5" fold separation at left that has been closed on verso with archival tape.

Estimate: $4,000 - $5,000

Sold for: $2,500

Closed on 4/27/2022

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