Description
Rare c.18th map focusing solely on the Australian continent, showing Cook’s discoveries of the east coast made in 1769-1770, as well as those by the Dutch. The southern coast is shown as an imaginary line, from Nuyts discoveries in 1627 at present day Ceduna, to Tasman’s first voyage discoveries in 1642 of Van Diemen’s Land shown joined to the mainland. The inset map of Botany Bay is taken from the account of Cook’s first voyage by John Hawkesworth. This map was published prior to the departure of the First Fleet and capitalised on the great interest generated by the news of this British social experiment.
From: The history of New Holland, from its first discovery in 1616 to the present time : with a particular account of its produce and inhabitants and a description of Botany Bay : also, a list of the naval, marine, military, and civil establishment. To which is prefixed, An introductory discourse on banishment / by the Right Honourable William Eden. London
