AUSTRALIA-Kaart Der Reyse Van Abel Tasman Volgens syn eygen opstel.

The most complete and accurate printed map to record the discoveries made by Abel Tasman on his two voyages to Australia in 1642-44. The map includes the tracks of Tasman’s first voyage 1642-43.

Valentyn studied theology and travelled twice to the East Indies in the employ of the VOC, firstly as a Calvinist minister on the spice island of Amboina (1686-1694) and then to Java (1706) and again Amboina (1707-1713). In the preparation of his historical account of the VOC in the East, Valentyn was given privileged access to the secret archives of the company, enabling him to provide detailed information on previous Dutch voyages to the Indies, including those of Abel Tasman. The map records the discoveries made by Tasman on his first voyage 1642-3, from Batavia to Mauritius and then south to the latitudes where the prevailing winds were known to blow. Tasman’ instructions were contained in the missive of the Governor-General and Council of the Indies to the Heren XVII of 12 December 1642, in which a brief summary of the plan for the voyage was given. The primary objectives of the VOC’ exploratory voyages had always been the opening up of new markets for trade while at the same time the updating of existing charts or creation of new charts. Tasman’ first voyage resulted in the discovery of Van Diemen’ Land (Tasmania) and New Zealand which gave the southern and eastern geographical limits of the South Land and proved that it was not connected to Terra Australis. The results of the second voyage gave shape to Australia’ northern and northwest coasts. The shape of Australia on maps was then to remain virtually unchanged, without any significant discoveries until those of James Cook in 1770.

From Francois Valentyn, Oud en Nieuw Oost Indien. Collection des Voyages et Index Orientales. Dordrecht