Tasmanian Treasure: Rare 17th-Century Map of Australia Resurfaces

livescience.com ^

[BenLurkin]

A rare map of Australia from the 17th century —before Europeans had fully explored the continent —resurfaced after 350 years. Now, it's finally been restored and put on public display in Australia's capital, Canberra.

Dutch cartographer Joan Blaeu created the map called "Archipelagus Orientalis," or "Eastern Archipelago," in 1659. (This newfound copy was printed in 1663.)

Much of the eastern coastline of the continent is missing in this vision of Australia. But the map is notable for including the earliest details of the sighting of Tasmania by the seafarer Abel Tasman, who planted a Dutch flag on the island during his expedition aboard the Zeehaen in 1642.

...

The delicate map measures more than 5 feet (1.5 meters) in width. It has letter-pressed text around the outside telling the story of Tasman's voyages. The map had been printed on paper and mounted on cloth, and some pieces were cracking, flaking off or missing when it resurfaced. It required years of conservation work before it was ready for display.

The map is believed to have gone into storage in Sweden in 1950, when the antiquarian bookseller who owned it went out of business, according to news.com.au. But not much is known about the map's whereabouts before then.

[BenLurkin]

[2banana]

Right at Albuquerque???

[BenLurkin]

You devil, you.

[BurrOh]

Amazing. Love maps. :-)

[Rinnwald]

Were there any coins or gems found with the map? That bastard Blaeu still owes me money.

[Jolla]

Likewise, maps are fascinating, it amazes me how accurate old maps are.

[Cold Heart]

And here all this time I thought cartographer was spelt with a K

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks BenLurkin.

• RELATED: Christie’s discovers 510-year-old map dubbed ‘America’s birth certificate’

[BurrOh]

Agreed. If you take satellite images and match against older maps, it is extraordinary. Blaeu maps are also attractive. imo

[BurrOh]

Holy moldy. Thanks for that link.

[Daffynition]

[taxcontrol]

Here there be monsters .... and in the case of Australia, very true.

[null and void]

...and then there’s the wildlife!

[Freee-dame]

Tasmania bump

[Robert DeLong]

Here there & everywhere be monsters, so I hear. Not limited to just Australia. But Australia does have the Tasmanian devil. 8>)

[Fred Nerks]

[null and void]

Don’t confuse want with ability!

[Redcitizen]

Is this map Blaeutooth compatible?

[Kartographer]

VERY NICE!! Thank You for the PING!!!

The Kartographer's Pledge

"Maps I'll find for you many old and rare.
Maps will I seek for you of lands both dark and fair.
Maps for you, would I pursue.
Maps you could follow should you dare to choose to.
Maps I will glean for you of lands some have never seen,
and places you may visit if only in dream."

Kartographer