New Guinea and the Pacific

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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Queensland Branch of the Royal Geographical Society – Proceedings 1887 – Interesting Papuan Expedition, Queensland Mountains etc

Vol II part 2 of the 1886-8 Proceedings and Transactions of the Society. Extremely scarce.

Octavo. Printed paper wrappers as issued pages 76-126 after preliminaries, notices etc. Interesting to see Tenison-Woods in attendance at the Meeting. Printed by Watson, Ferguson $ Co of Queens Street, Brisbane. Still surviving Watson Ferguson commenced in 1871 and are Queensland oldest printing business.

A few edge chips and a reference label top front left otherwise very good condition

The journal contains some interesting reports including C.T. Bedford surveying trip from Boulia to the South Australian Border, the Mountains of Queensland by N. Bartley (author of Opals and Agates and his Reminiscences).

The highlight though is the Journal of Mr George Hunter on an Expedition from Kappa Kappa to the Heads of the Kemp Welch River, British New Guinea with a good folding map illustration the journey. Anyone who has been to this part of Papua will remember the beautiful beaches around the Kappa Kappa area.

Early Queensland Geographical Society Publication – Interesting Explorations and Observations on the People of Papua and the Kappa Kappa / Rigo Region

$90.00

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Plan of Port Hunter (with View of Engagement with Native Canoes) – William Bradley – 1794

A scarce item in fine condition. Plan of Port Hunter surveyed by Lt W Bradley engraved by J Walker. Published (London) by A Dalrymple September 5th 1794.

With inset map showing part of Duke of York Islands and part of a the coast of New Britain. With an ancillary view of Port Hunter showing the ship firing on native canoes, and natives with spears on the beach. This view being a bellicose version of a watercolour painting by midshipman George Raper.

Printed on heavy paper, strong plate mark, image 22cm by 16.5cm with wide borders. Very good near fine condition.

William Bradley was 1st Lieutenant of HMS Sirius which foundered off Norfolk Island, Captain Hunter in Command. The ships crew were carried back to England in the hired Dutch transport ship Waaksamhey’d. On that voyage they anchored at to be named Port Hunter and were attacked by natives in canoes as depicted.

An interesting Plan showing depth soundings and anchorages. Pt Maule; Pt Mitchell; Ball’s Point and Bradley’s Island are identified. North is orientated to the foot. A “watering place” is identified and the intensity of the palm trees along the shore is clear. The myriad of inner coral fringes is suggested along with comments re bottom condition … rocky, mud and loose coral and sand and mud.

Published as part of the East India Pilot by A. Dalrymple (1762-1801) where it was plate 491. This version sold separately, priced sixpence under the Hydrographical Office Seal in the top left. As such could be a very scarce example.

Price $160.00 unframed. ask if you wish framing option …

Unusual and scarce chart with image of engagement with native canoes . Bradley, First Fleet Lieutenant and published by Dalrymple.

$160.00

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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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Cases de Naturels a Nouka-Hiva (Baie Anna Maria) – Louis LeBreton (Dumont d’Urville Expedition) – 1846

A natural image of the native people of Nouka-Hiva (now Nuka Hiva) the third largest island in the Marquesas.

An original lithograph from a drawing by Louis LeBreton (1818-1866) published as part of the great “Atlas Pittoresque” to accompany “Voyage au Pole Sud et dans l’Oceanie sur les corvettes l’Astrolabe et la Zelee … sous commandement de M.J. Dumont d’Urville”.

Lithographed by Bichebois and produced by Lemercier Benard, Paris 1846. A sizeable image on sturdy paper – 37cms x 28cms to the edge of the printed area bright and clean, with very wide boarders with the odd mark from handling but well away from the image. Overall in very good condition. The quality and intensity of the artwork can be seen in the close up images.

Louis LeBreton replaced Goupil as the official artist (he died at Hobart on the outward voyage) on Dumont d’Urville’s third circumnavigation of 1837-40.

Incidentally, Herman Melville and Robert Louis Stephenson were both to visit and take inspiration from Nouka-Hiva

Fine Polynesian image by Louis LeBreton

$140.00

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Curious Map of the Eastern Hemisphere – Calmet 1728 – Early Australia Outline

An original special and unusual copper engraved map by Antoine Calmet (1672-1757) published in 1728 for his work on the Creation of the World. Below the map of the Old World is a sphere representing the creation of the Universe with the Earth at its centre. Very good condition un-coloured as it should be with a strong plate impression. 33cms by 22cms in plate impression.

Whilst the map highlights Africa, Europa and Asia the strong depiction of those parts of Australia discovered and mapped by the Dutch is charming with the Gulf of Carpentaria connected to New Guinea as was thought then.

Calmet was a French Benedictine monk and scholar born in Lorraine. He became very learned and out of humility refused honours from the Pope. The map is believed to have been engraved by Strackman (1680-1730) who worked with distinguished cartographers De Fer and De L’ilsle

Price $290.00 framed in stylish charcoal frame in cream mat with black core … a combination that works well with early uncoloured maps … enquire if you wish this map unframed or an alternative.

Unusual early 18thC map with good Australian relevance

$290.00

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

Queensland Branch of the Royal Geographical Society – Proceedings 1887 – Interesting Papuan Expedition, Queensland Mountains etc

Plan of Port Hunter (with View of Engagement with Native Canoes) – William Bradley – 1794

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

Cases de Naturels a Nouka-Hiva (Baie Anna Maria) – Louis LeBreton (Dumont d’Urville Expedition) – 1846

Curious Map of the Eastern Hemisphere – Calmet 1728 – Early Australia Outline

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