Vue de L’Observatoire (aux Iles Auckland)

Superb lithograph of the French ships, Astrolabe and Zelle, at the Auckland Islands, under the command of Dumont D’Urville in New Zealand waters.

After exploring the southern regions Dumont D’Urville the ships sailed to the Pacific visiting many of the islands, Singapore, Batavia, and reached Hobart at the end of 1839.

After a short period of rest in Hobart the ships headed south again on January 1, 1840, this time reaching about 64°S and found themselves suddenly surrounded by icebergs. On January 19, land was sighted, it was completely covered with snow so high it was impossible to see the summit. D’Urville named the coast, Terre Adelie after his wife. The expedition had established the approximate position of the magnetic pole and d’Urville felt that their task had been accomplished and left Antarctica and headed for New Zealand.

The maps and views were published in the official accounts of the voyage and are the finest ever produced of Antarctica and intended to reflect France’s rightful place on the international stage.

 Embossed blind stamp “Gide Editeur Paris” denoting that is from the original edition of “Voyage au Pole Sud”.

References:
Hocken, T. A bibliography of the literature relating to New Zealand. Wellington 1973 p. 93.
Hill, J. The Hill Collection of Pacific Voyages. San Diego 1974 508.

Collections:
Auckland Art Gallery:   Accession no2006/3/4
Christchurch Art Gallery:  80/47
National Library Australia:   Bib ID 3003973
National Library New Zealand:  Ref B-052-013
Te Papa Museum of New Zealand: 1992-0035-1866