Description
Important and impressive panorama of Sydney in 1803, from the official account of the French expedition led by Nicholas Baudin, taken from eastern side of Circular Quay and looking westwards to the Rocks. The Tom Thumb George Bass’s whaleboat is the masted vessel moored against the far-shore. This engraving is based on the exquisite pen and ink drawing by Charles Alexandre Lesueur, taken from the French encampment on the eastern side of Sydney Cove, with the panorama of Sydney and all its buildings and fortifications in the background.
Lesueur, assistant gunner on the Geographe under the command of Nicolas Baudin, drew a number of remarkably accurate topographical views of Sydney during their five month stay at Port Jackson in 1802. The French Admiralty, although sending Baudin’s expedition under the ‘flag of truce’ with the sole aim of ‘perfecting the sciences’ had a political and strategic interest in the British settlement in New South Wales.
References:
Ferguson, J. A. Bibliography of Australia Volumes 1-8, Canberra 1976 : : 449.
Hill, J. The Hill Collection of Pacific Voyages. San Diego 1974 : :: 229
Hunt & Davidson Sydney Views 1788-1888, 2007 Plate 36 page 64.
Sabin, J. A Dictionary of Books Relating to America, from its Discovery to the Present Time. New York. (1936) 1967 : : 60998.
Tooley, R.V. The Mapping of Australia. London 1979 : : 610.
Nissen, C. Die illustrierten Vogelbucher. Stuttgart 1995 : ZBI 3120.
Monglond, A. La France revolutionnaire et imperiale: annales de bibliographie .. Geneva, 1930-78 : VII, 675 ff.
Wantrup, J. Australian Rare Books Vol. I. 2023″ pp.197-206, ill. p.200
Collections:
Bibliotheque Nationale de France: ark:/12148/bpt6k74602q
Biodiversity Heritage Library: Call Number DU99 .P45
Silent World Foundation, Sydney.: SF001498
State Library New South Wales: RB/DQ990A/71* , Q81/22 , Q81/13
