93 of 3906 lots
93
W. Whitchurch, Chart of New South Wales or East Coast of New Holland, 1773,
Estimate:
AU$800 - AU$1,200
Passed
Live Auction
Roxbury's Auction No. 133 - Signature Sale 17th - 20th July 2024
Category
Description
Rare engraved hydrographic chart of New South Wales or the East Coast of New Holland, 36.5 x 78.5cm (image), 50.5 x 92cm (frame), discovered and explored by Lieutenant (later Captain) J. Cook, Commander of His Majesty's Bark Endeavour, in the year 1770, during the first of his three voyages between 1768-1780. Engraved by W. Whitchurch, Royal Exchange London and published by W. Strahan & T. Cadell, London. An example of this chart from the R.V. Tooley map collection is held by The National Library of Australia, (MAP T 325). Some minor foxing along as published folds, professionally framed in excellent condition. Available for local pickup, otherwise courier to be arranged and paid for by bidder. *From the Frank Coulter collection. Side note: The First Complete Map of Eastern Australia, a highly important map of the East Coast of Australia, published in the official account of the Voyage of Captain James Cook. The map is oriented with west at the top and extends from Cape York, Prince of Wales Island and Endeavor Straits in the north (top right) to Point Hicks (Victoria) at the bottom left. The map depicts Captain (Lieutenant at the time) James Cook's discoveries on the east coast of Australia. After observing the Transit of Venus from Tahiti, Cook proceeded on to search for the 'Terra Australis Incognita'. Sailing West he accurately mapped New Zealand for the first time, then moved north, discovering the east coast of Australia. Having already run aground once, Cook sailed outside the dangerous reefs and so the coast between Cape Flattery and Cape Weymouth was not mapped. These reefs and islands he called 'The Labyrinth'. Cook's discoveries and the�Endeavour's�tracks from April 19 to August 22, 1770, are marked on the map. Notably, many of the place names given by Cook have remained unchanged.