Mappe Monde ou Description du Globe Terrestre assujettie aux Observations Astronomiques Par le Sr. Janvier Geographe

A rare and spectacular eighteenth century French hand coloured engraved double-hemisphere world map, with Australian shown with an imaginary coastline extending from Tasmania to the Solomons and New Guinea.

The imaginary east coast was a theory propogated by the French Royal cartographer Nicholas Bellin on his maps and because of his eminence other mapmakers copied this error. It wasn’t until the printed chart of the east coast published in 1773 which showed James Cook’s discoveries made on his voyage first voyage that other makers corredcted there charts.

The map also records some of the early Dutch discoveries made of the Australian coastline which culminated in those of Tasman’s on his first and second voyages 1642-4.