Tallis, Polynesia or Islands in the Pacific Ocean c1853.

by John Tallis & Company

Antique Map of Australia and Polynesian or Pacific Islands c1853, published by John Tallis & Company, London & New York. This map shows the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii), Society Islands (Tahiti), Friendly Islands (Tonga), the New Hebrides (Vanuatu), and the Carolina Islands of Micronesia.

Tallis and Company established their reputation as publishers of high quality books and grand atlases, by embellishing the fine engraving of the main subject with small engraved views. The vignettes in this Polynesian map are of Kalakakoa, Sandwich Islands (Karakakoa Bay, where Cook died in Hawaii); Otaheiti (Tahiti); Harbour of Dory (New Guinea) & Resolution Bay, Marquesas. Their maps were accurately drawn and engraved by John Rapkin. Each subject was surrounded by finely engraved borders, and vignettes of important cities, native flora, fauna and people (usually coloured after the date of publication). The illustrations for this map were drawn by Henry Winkles and engraved by T. Wrightson. The publishing firm of Tallis flourished from 1835 to 1860, and produced some of the last decorative maps to be published, as this slow, skilled, labour-intensive work added considerably to the cost of production.

This map measures 270 x 355cm (10 5/8 x 14 inches).