An 18th Century English Wall Map of Asia, Australia & The Indian Ocean

Nice example of the 6 sheet Laurie and Whittle wall map of Asia, Australia and the Indian Ocean, first published in Asia in 1794.

The map in its complete state covers an area from the eastern coast of Africa to the eastern coast of Australia and from the southern tip of Tasmania to the Arctic Circle.

The map features a decorative title cartouche at the top right and shows Australia prominently, albeit incompletely. Inset maps of King George Sound and southern Tasmania (showing the discoveries of the Duke in 1791), are placed on the Australian continent, while Australia's east coast is charted to show the recent discoveries by Captain Cook in 1770. A gap is shown between Tasmania and the mainland, reflecting Cook's charting of the coastline, rather than giving speculation about the existence of a strait between the two. The southern coast is completely uncharted.

The map was originally issued as a 4 sheet map, published by Robert Sayer, circa 1772. The original title was Asia According to the Sieur D'Anville, Divided into its Empires, Kingdoms & States, Showing the European Settlements in the East Indies. The title was revised to Asia and its Islands According to d'Anville ; Divided into its Empires, Kingdoms, States & Regions &c. with the European Possessions and Settlements in the East Indies and An Exact Delineation of all The Discoveries made in the Eastern Parts By The English under Captn. Cook , circa 1787. This chart was issued under the same title until as late as 1794, when it was apparently expanded to six sheets.

The title of the revised six sheet map is Asia and its islands according to d'Anville; divided into empires, kingdoms, states, regions, &c. &c. with the European possessions and settlements in the East Indies and an exact delineation of all the discoveries made in the eastern parts by the English under Captn. Cook, Vancouver & Peyrouse. London, Publish'd by Laurie & Whittle, No. 53, Fleet Street, Feby. 2d, 1799.

The National Library of Australia copy is shown here: nla.gov.au/nla.map-rm181

The Rumsey copy is shown here: www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~31561~1190005:Composite--Asia-

The map (with the lower 2 sheets) was apparently later also issued as an untitled 4 sheet map of the Indian Ocean, with 3 compass roses added to the lower sheets. The State Library of Queensland copy is illustrated here: www.slq.qld.gov.au/resources/maps

The map is quite rare on the market. This is the first example we have offered in more than 20 years of business.