Isles de Salomon, Nouvelle Zelande. Solomon Islands, c1683.

by Mallet, Alain Manesson

Des Terres Australes (Southern Lands) small antique map, with 9 sailing ships. Pacific Ocean, Guadalcanal (named in 1568 during Alvaro de Mendana's expedition), Terre de Quiros (after navigator Pedro Fernandez de Quiros), and Nouvelle Zelande (not -).

Rare original copperplate-engraved map by Alain Manesson Mallet (1630-1706), published circa 1683 in Paris “by Royal privilege”, for the first ‘modern’ book of geography, Mallet's Description de l’Univers (Description of the Universe). Antique map of Solomon Islands, Terre de Quir (land of Quiros) and Nouvelle Zelande (New Zealand - since renamed when preference was given to Abel Janszoon Tasman's name for land he discovered east of Tasmania (which Tasman named Van Diemen's Land after the governor-general of the East India Company in Batavia (Jakarta). The discovery of the great southern land "Terra Australis" was the goal of many European explorers over the centuries.

Alain Manesson Mallet (1630-1706) studied mathematics and geometry at the College of Burgundy, under the military engineer, his uncle 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. Advising improvement of Portugal's fortifications, Mallet contributed greatly to the Independence of Portugal in 1668. He returned to France and 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). While master of mathematics, Mallet wrote on military science and the art of siege warfare. Mallet's most important publications wereTravaux de Mars, ou l'art de War (Work of Mars, or the Art of War) and Description de l'Univers (Description of the Universe).

This map is in fine condition. To intaglio impression measures 15 x 10.5cm (6.78 x 4.1/8 inches). Page size is 21 x 13cm (8.1/4 x 5.1/8 inches).