Mallet, Isles de Salomon. Solomon Islands & NZ antique map c1683.

by Mallet, Alain Manesson

Des Terres Australes. (Southern Lands). Guadalcanal, Nouvelle Zelande (New Zealand), and Terre de Quiros.

Original copperplate-engraved map (Figure 111) by Alain Manesson Mallet (1630-1706), published circa 1683 in Paris “by Royal privilege”, for the first ‘modern’ book of geography Description de l’Univers (Description of the Universe). This wonderful map shows the lack of knowledge of Torres Straits in the 17th century.

Alain Manesson Mallet (1630-1706) studied mathematics and geometry at the College of Burgundy, under the military engineer, Philippe Mallet (1606-1679). He then joined the army and rose to the rank of sargento-mor (equivalent to commander) of artillery and inspector of fortifications under Marshal Schomberg. He greatly assisted with improvement of Portugal's fortifications, and after Louis XIV forced the Spanish to end the war and sign the Treaty of Independence of Portugal in 1668, Mallet returned to France. He was appointed mathematics teacher of the pages of the King in Little Stable, Versaille (reserved for the sons of the noble families whose antiquity dated back to 1550 or earlier). As master of mathematics, Mallet had time to write.

In 1671 Mallet's first publication was on military science and the art of siege warfare. It was so successful that it was translated into German the following year. In 1684 Mallet updated his work and published Travaux de Mars, ou l'art de War (Work of Mars, or the Art of War), featuring his proposals for fortifications.

This map is in good condition with later hand-colour highlighting the coastlines and the Pacific Ocean, with sailing ships.
To intaglio impression measures 150 x 105mm (6.78 x 4.1/8 inches). Page size is 210 x 130mm (8.1/4 x 5.1/8 inches).