Item #4107419 A Map of the Discoveries Made by Captn. Willm. Dampier in the Roebuck in 1699. DAMPIER, Emanuel BOWEN, engraver.

A Map of the Discoveries Made by Captn. Willm. Dampier…
A Map of the Discoveries Made by Captn. Willm. Dampier in the Roebuck in 1699.

London: John Harris, 1744.

Engraved chart measuring 245 x 410 mm. (sheet size).

Emanuel Bowen map of Dampier's discoveries

The Bowen map of William Dampier's discoveries along the Papuan coastline and adjacent islands. Dampier sailed in the Roebuck in January of 1699, landing in Shark Bay, Western Australia in July of that year, before going on to explore the Papuan coastline in some detail. This map charts the path of the Roebuck from Timor to the large islands to the northeast of New Guinea named New Britain by Dampier. The voyage of the Roebuck is one of the most significant expeditions to the region, but was disastrous for Dampier, especially after the vessel, rotten and leaking badly for much of the voyage, finally foundered at Ascension Island.

The Bowen map of William Dampier's discoveries along the Papuan coastline and adjacent islands. Dampier sailed in the Roebuck in January of 1699, landing in Shark Bay, Western Australia in July of that year, before going on to explore the Papuan coastline in some detail. This map charts the path of the Roebuck from Timor to the large islands to the northeast of New Guinea named New Britain by Dampier. The voyage of the Roebuck is one of the most significant expeditions to the region, but was disastrous for Dampier, especially after the vessel, rotten and leaking badly for much of the voyage, finally foundered at Ascension Island.

This fine map was engraved by Emanuel Bowen (1694-1767), one of the pre-eminent English cartographic printers of his era and geographer to both King George II and Louis XV. Bowen drew upon a wide range of materials to ensure the accuracy of his work, attracting commissions from many of the leading hydrographers of the day. Widely respected for the skill, accuracy and beauty of his maps, 'Bowen's contribution to eighteenth-century world and British atlases was substantial' (ODNB). Bowen is famous for his map of the Southern Continent published by Harris in 1744, the same anthology for which the present map was prepared.

Bowen's work was characterised by its ornate rococo engraving and detailed text passages that surrounded the cartographic detail. This map of Dampier's discoveries is no exception, and features a lively text on the inhabitants of New Guinea and speculations about the wealth and wonders awaiting future explorers of the region. One section reads 'The inhabitants are generally speaking Blacks, but there is a Nation of Whites seated in one part of it whom some have suspected to be a remnant of the Ten Tribes of Israel, who were carried into captivity by the Assyrians… the inhabitants of the Moluccas are known to trade with the people of this Country for Gold and Spices which sufficiently demonstrates that it is well worth the discovering.'

Condition Report: Some browning yet very good.

Price (AUD): $950.00

US$618.44   Other currencies

Ref: #4107419

Condition Report