Description
Rare and important c.19th engraved view of Sydney Cove (present day Circular Quay) looking from Dawes Point eastward by Charles Alexander Lesueur artist on the famous French expedition under the command of Nicholas Baudin.
Government house is the prominent building on the opposite shore and to the left, a group of tents command prime position on Bennelong Point. The French expedition stayed for five months 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.
From Peron, Voyage de decouvertes aux terres australes, execute sur les corvettes le Geographe, le Naturaliste et la goelette le Casuarina, pendant les annees 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803 et 1804 …
References:
Ferguson, J. A. Bibliography of Australia Volumes 1-8, Canberra 1976 449.
Hill, J. The Hill Collection of Pacific Voyages. San Diego 1974 1329.
Hunt & Davidson Sydney Views 1788-1888, 2007 Plate 36 page 64.
Wantrup, J. Australian Rare Books. Sydney 1987 78a, 79a, 80a, 81.
Sharp, A. The Discovery of Australia. Oxford 1963 pp. 232-39.
Dunmore, J. French Explorers in the Pacific. Oxford 1965-69 vol. II, pp. 9-40.
Collections:
Bibliotheque Nationale de France: ark:/12148/bpt6k74602q
National Library Australia: Bib ID 87123
State Library South Australia: 919.4 P453.2 b
State Library New South Wales: 1807-1817 MRB/F980
