Pacific (General)

Rare Antique Maps of the Pacific Ocean

Rare Pacific maps encompass some of the most ambitious cartographic undertakings of the early modern period, as European mapmakers sought to represent the world’s largest ocean and its scattered islands. Early examples often depict vast open seas punctuated by speculative islands, incomplete coastlines and theoretical landmasses.

Exploration by Spanish, Dutch, French and British navigators—including Tasman, Cook and later scientific expeditions—progressively transformed Pacific cartography. Mapmakers such as Ortelius, Mercator, Blaeu, d’Anville and later Admiralty hydrographers incorporated new discoveries, gradually improving accuracy and detail.

Rare Pacific maps are prized for their early states, scarcity and ability to illustrate the evolution of geographic knowledge over time. They provide a compelling visual record of exploration, navigation and the challenges of mapping the world’s most expansive ocean.