Great Seafaring Islands

Maps of the Canary Islands Published before 1850 – C Broekema

The Map Collectors’ Circle publication published Nos 74 by C. Broekema in 1971. Very good condition with T.M. Perry, Australian map expert’s stamp on the front cover.

147 maps identified over 24 pages plus 13 plates of prime historical and decorative examples. Very good condition and a hard one to find.

The Canaries has always held a special place in hearts of travellers and cartographers. Known in antiquity and actively visited by Europeans from the 14thC. Appears on the Medici Portlan map of 1351. On the Hereford Mappamundi it is named “Insulae fortunatae sancti Brandani” … the “Fortunate Isles” moniker dates back to Hesiod, who spoke of the islands where perpetual summer reigned.

Canary Islands more than just a holiday. Perry’s copy.

$25.00

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Solomon Islands with the Unusual Fictitious Terre de Qvir – Mallet – 1683

An unusual and scarce original copper engraved map “Isles de Solomons” by Allain Mallet published in Paris in 1683 as part of his great work on “the Universe”.

One of the most intriguing Mallet maps. It purports to show that Queiros had a theory that a great land mass existed between the Solomon Islands and New Zealand … here named “Terre de Qvir” … similar to, or as a part, of the supposed great southern continent “Terra Australis”. Decorated with nine sailing ships.

In 1567 Alvarode Mendana de Neira (Mendana) set out from Lima to fine gold in the Pacific. Legend had it that the Biblical Ophir which had provided the gold for Solomon’s Temple lay somewhere out there. They sailed for over eighty days and 6,000 miles before the reached land … and here marked Isle St Isabelle. It was almost thirty years later in 1895 that Mendana set off on a voyage to colonise the Solomon’s, following Drake’s plundering of the Spanish interest on the west coast of South America . His Chief Pilot was Pedro Fernandes de Queiros and they set sail with four vessels and 378 individuals (including family, criminals, prostitutes etc). First, the discovered the Marquesas and treated the native people very badly, many of whom were killed as if for sport. They then went on to find the Santa Cruz Islands … but failed to find the Solomon Islands. They headed for Manilla and only 100 survived the dangerous adventure. Mendana died on the voyage.

Allain Manesson Mallet (1630-1706) was a French cartographer and engineer. He started his career as a soldier in the army of Louis XIV and became a Sergeant Major and an Inspector of Fortifications a role which afforded him the resources required to produce this treasure.

Price $120.00 unframed or $220.00 framed in Voyager style … enquire if you wish

Historical important mallet Map for the Pacific region from the Solomon Islands to New Zealand

$120.00

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Map of Ningbo Zhejiang China – Bellin after Thornton -1746

An original copper engraved map titled “Carte de l’Isle de Che-chan ou Isle de Chusan de la Province de Che-kiang avec les Costes et Isles voisines”. Engraved by J van Schley for Jaques Nicolas Bellin Cartographer to the French Navy. It was published in Paris in 1746 as part of Prevost’s History of Voyages. The underlying charting ahd been completed by the Englishman Thornton.

The great city of Ningbo near Shanghai is seen just off the map at the top named them Ning-po .. with a note that it is known by Europeans as Liampo. The Che Kian Province now known as Zhejiang.

The map is 32cm by 21 cm to the border of the printed image. Folds as original. In pretty good condition with nice colouring and a nice compass rose. Now a very busy harbour its interesting to see so many depth measurements marked.

Price $120.00 unframed

Interesting chart of the coastal area around Ningbo

$120.00

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Easter Island Monuments – Cook’s Second Voyage – Benard Paris 1785

An original copper engraving from 1785 of the monuments at Easter Island. Engraved by Benard and published in Paris as part of the French version of Cook’s Second Voyage.

“Moumens dans l’isle de Paques” a deep and dramatic depiction. Classical overtones and yet in a modern sense even “Daliesque” … we really admire the structure.

Printed area 36cm by 21cm with near invisible central fold as issued. Strong thick paper and a strong dark ink image.

Would frame nicely in Voyager uncoloured map style in cream mat with black core and charcoal frame. Here priced unframed at $190.00. Just enquire if you wish the framing option.

Striking Image for the Easter island Curios

$90.00

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(Sancta Helena) Saint Helena Island – Bertius -1603

One of the most striking and coveted island maps from the early 17th Century – Saint Helena in the South Atlantic home for Napoleon after his second capture.

Engraved by Benjamin Wright for the great geographer Petrus Bertius and published by Cornelis Claesz in Amsterdam in 1603 for the “Tabularum Geographicarum Contractarum Libri”

Distinctively signed by the elusive Wright in his abbreviated fashion near the bottom center of the plate.

Map 12cm by 9cm to the printed borders. A Voyager favourite.

Price framed in Voyager Miniature map style in beaded gilt frame with gilt fillet. Enquire if you wish it unframed.

$280.00

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Map of the Pacific Ocean – 1747 Cartographer – Bellin

A nice early map of the Pacific (“La Grande Mer du Sud”) engraved in copper by Cosmant from the cartographer Bellin strictly after a map by Herman Moll for Dampier.

Tropical trade winds are shown based on Halley’s 17th century wind map.

One can see why his work became an essential reference for future explorers – Cook included. Interesting features such as the pre-Cook form of New Holland, California shown as an island and in the bottom right the Isles of Juan Fernando where Dampier was to maroon Alexander Selkirk of Robinson Crusoe fame.

Price framed in a charcoal black frame and a cream mat board with black core. Please ask if you would like this item unframed.

1747 Century Map of the Pacific – Fine condition … Click on me to see the full map!

$290.00

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Maps of the Canary Islands Published before 1850 – C Broekema

Solomon Islands with the Unusual Fictitious Terre de Qvir – Mallet – 1683

Map of Ningbo Zhejiang China – Bellin after Thornton -1746

Easter Island Monuments – Cook’s Second Voyage – Benard Paris 1785

(Sancta Helena) Saint Helena Island – Bertius -1603

Map of the Pacific Ocean – 1747 Cartographer – Bellin

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