New Guinea and the Pacific

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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Patrolling in Papua – 1923 – First Edition W.R. Humphries

Extremely rare London First 1923. Very good condition bar some occasional foxing. Bright and tight boards as published.

W.R. (Dickie) Humphries arrived in Papua in 1917 and took over an ambitious patrolling plan under the guidance of Hubert Murray. This excellent book records in detail a number of exploratory expeditions. Taking in Nepa, Tiveris, Kerma and Christmas on the Lakekamu, the Kukukukus and their raids on Nepa. Off into the unknown … ascending Mount Chapman and to the valley at Kwolum, friendly natives (rare) at Biaru and gigantic cigars. Ascending Mount Waria and a close shave. At Dunai-ia strange graves and thumb nails and to Boli, Nele and Morobe before turning back to Kokoda. Nicely illustrated with unique with over 40 photographic images. In 1924 Humphries escorted Frank Hurley on his famous photographic expedition into the Mount Yule area.

Scarce as they get patrolling expeditions immediately post WWI

$190.00

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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!

$390.00

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Report on the military occupation of the German New Guinea possession – 1922 – With Very Large Coloured Map

Report (accompanied by a massive map) by the Minister of State for Defence on the military occupation of the German New Guinea possessions, published by the parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1922.

Contains a report examining the position in the Pacific at the commencement of WWI, and the dispatch of the Australian Naval and Military Expedition Force. The report examines, the movement and nature of both the German and Australian fleets around New Guinea, from the outbreak of war on 4th August, 1914. The report includes a description of the territory, the northwest Pacific Expedition, laws in force in the territory and the administration of justice, administration of native affairs, a brief examination of tropical medicine, territory revenues and tropical agriculture including currency and coinage, costs of administration and policy in regard to German nationals.

Nicely bound, by a later collector with gilt title to front spine.

The map, with dimensions of about 150x150cm (see accompanying photograph) is in colour and comprising the New Guinea mainland, New Britain and surrounding islands and the tip of Cape York. Very detailed. It represents the pre-war position and although undated likely comes from circa 1910. It is an exceptional map of the period the value of which more than underpins this item

$190.00

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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

Patrolling in Papua – 1923 – First Edition W.R. Humphries

Map of the Pacific Ocean – 1747 Cartographer – Bellin

Report on the military occupation of the German New Guinea possession – 1922 – With Very Large Coloured Map

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