Catalog Archive
Auction 189, Lot 685

A Rare Pre-Cook Map Focusing on Australia

"Carte Reduite des Terres Australes pour Servir a l'Histoire des Voyages", Bellin, Jacques Nicolas

Subject: Australia

Period: 1753 (dated)

Publication: Prevost's Histoire Generale des Voyages

Color: Hand Color

Size:
10.9 x 7.9 inches
27.7 x 20.1 cm
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This is one of the few 18th century maps to focus on the Australian continent prior to Cook's famous first voyage from 1768-1771. Mainland Australia is connected to both Tasmania (Terre de Van Diemen) and Papua New Guinea (Nouv. Guinee). Along the imaginary eastern coastline is a note that reads: "I suppose that the land of Diemen can join with the land of the Holy Ghost, but this is without proof." A partial coastline of New Zealand is shown peeking out of the corner of the map, with a note that it was discovered by Abel Tasmand in 1642 and speculation that it might be part of a great southern continent. This is an important map of Australia depicting the interesting theories made prior to exploration of the region later in the century.

References: Tooley (Australia) p. 24, #156; Tooley (MCC-23) #80.

Condition: A

Issued folding on watermarked paper with a binding trim at upper right and a narrow top margin.

Estimate: $1,000 - $1,300

Sold for: $700

Closed on 9/14/2022

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