Dampier, Plants of New Guinea & Plants of New Holland (Australia) c1705.

$180.00

1.2. Plantes de la Nle. Guinée 3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10. Plantes de la Nle. Hollande (Plants of New Guinea.. Plants of New Holland) – Tome XI. No. VII (Book 11. No. 7)
Original copperplate engraving by Louise Duvivier Tardieu after the drawing by William Dampier. Published in Paris circa 1705 for the French edition of Dampier’s Voyages and Travels.

In 1688 William Dampier (1652-1715) was the first Englishman to land in Australia. He arrived on the west coast in privateer ship Cygnet which was grounded for repairs at Shark Bay for two months. As he had done in Brazil, and would also do in New Guinea, Dampier sketched flora, fauna and native people during this time. After his return to England these simple sketches were published in 1697 in Dampier’s book A New Voyage Round the World. Usually nature discoveries were published with contemporary colour – each hand-coloured in accordance with the drawing from the artist on the voyage, but paintboxes were probably not priority for pirates, and his botanical engravings remained uncoloured when published.

During more than twelve years, in just as many ships and various voyages, Dampier circumnavigated the world three times – and became the first to do so. His stories of his travels were well-received by the public and he revised and published to accommodate their popularity. Travel was something that most people could only be read about, and stories of discoveries were popular everywhere. From 1705 Dampier’s “Voyages and Discoveries” were even published in France.

Dampier arrived on the west coast of Australia in 1688 Cygnet was grounded for repairs for two months at Shark Bay. As he had done in Brazil and would do in New Guinea, William Dampier sketched local flowers, plants and grasses, birds and animals, and natives. He was not impressed with the terrain. After his return to England, copperplate engravings from these simple sketches were published in 1697 for Dampier’s A New Voyage Round the World. Usually nature discoveries were published with contemporary colour – each hand-coloured in accordance with the drawing from the artist on the voyage, but Dampier probably didn’t have a paintbox with him, so his botanical engravings remained uncoloured when published.

In good condition, this small engraving measures 133 x 176mm to the single-lined border. The page size is 167 x 197mm, with two vertical folds to accommodate publication in a small volume.

Out of stock