ARROWSMITH, Aaron Chart of the Pacific Ocean... London, Published Oct. 1st 1798 [additions to 1801]
Double elephant folio atlas containing a set of nine engraved sheets each 670 x 870 mm., with elaborately engraved cartouche of tropical scene surrounding title of map; some mild spotting to a couple of the sheets else a fine set bound in recent papered boards with earlier crimson morocco label on upper board lettered "The Pacific &c.".
A superb copy, with the sheets that make up the map uncut at the edges, and bound onto stubs in a very large volume. This is probably the greatest of all Pacific maps and 'a landmark in the early cartography of Australasia... all editions are rare and valuable...' (Tooley). First published in 1798 (and still here carrying that date on the imprints to each sheet, without the notes about additions that would appear in later issues, especially noting the major corrections incorporated in the issues of 1810 and 1814) the Arrowsmith Chart of the Pacific Ocean was in continual revision. This version shows all knowledge of the Pacific Ocean as available - that is, reflecting all the information reported by explorers - up to 1801, the latest date that appears in any of the very extensive notes of sources.
The map is dedicated to Joseph de Mendoza Rios, the Spanish astronomer and fellow of the Royal Society; he worked for many years in England on navigation and nautical astronomy. The Arrowsmith family was the leading British map publisher in the first half of the nineteenth century. They were particularly renowned for their nautical charts, and established the standard format later adopted by the Royal Navy's Hydrographic Office. Aaron Arrowsmith, the founder of the firm, was a scrupulous worker, who constantly revised his maps to show the latest geographical discoveries, and took great pride in producing publications combining accuracy and a functional beauty.
The publication of a detailed chart such as this one of the Pacific Ocean only decades after Cook's discoveries in the region shows the intense interest in new frontiers and the knowledge that sea-power was the key to empire.
Clancy, 6.43; Tooley, 'Printed Maps of Australia', 60.
$A28500
Click here to see an image of this item.
This item is listed on Bibliopoly by Hordern House; click here for further details.