Bellin antique map of Pacific Ocean and Australia c1753.

by Bellin, Jacques Nicolas

(French) Carte Reduite de la Mer Du Sud Pour servir a l'Histoire generale des Voyages. Par M. Bellin Ingr. de la marine, et de la Societe Royale de Londres. (Reduced Shart of the Southern Ocean, being a General History of Voyages. By Monsieur Bellin.

This Bellin map of the islands across the Pacific was published in Paris c1753 by Abbé Prévost. As Bellin was a cartographer based in Paris, he based his maps on those of previouis explorers - in this case, on Herman Moll's map of Pacific following William Dampier's voyage. Previous cartographers' maps were essential reference for future explorers, including James Cook who discovered the east coast of Australia less than twenty years later - after which New Zealand and the east coast of Asutralia were shown on maps. Australia is shown as Nouvelle Hollande (New Holland), as named by the Dutch who discovered the west coast during their trips to the Spice Islands in the East Indies ).

Jacques Nicolas Bellin (1703-1772), was appointed hydrographer to the French Navy when 18 years old, he became director of the Department of Charts, Plans & Journals of the Ministry of the Navy, head of the French Hydrographic Department, Official Hydrographer to King Louis XIV and Royal Censor of the Naval Academy. As a marine hydrographic engineer he was appointed a member of the Royal Society of London.

(Juan Fernández Island (off Chile at lower right) is where Moskito Indian 'Will' was marooned for 3 years, and retrieved by William Dampier and the privateer crew of Cygnet in 1684. Alexander Selkirk was marooned there early the following century, and became inspiration for Daniel Defoe's book "Robinson Crusoe".

With two vertical folds to accommodate publication size, this map is in good condition except for a tear at top right (repaired with conservation tape). Page size is 26 x 40cm (10 1/4 x 15 3/4 inches). Map 21 x 36cm (8 1/4 x 14 1/8 inches).