1763 Buache Map of the Antarctic Continent or South Pole
|
Description: This is an unusual and highly speculative map of the southern Polar Regions (Antarctic) drawn in 1763 by the scientific geographer M. Buache. A subtle and unusual map that yields more fascinating discoveries the longer one studies it, this chart centers on the South Pole and extends northwards as far as the Tropic of Capricorn. Though predating the discovery of Antarctica by more than half a century, Buache’s map details a fanciful Antarctic Pole sandwiched between the tip of Cape Horn, the Cape of Good Hope, and southern Australia, which stretches northwards off the map as far as New Guinea (to which the mainland of Australia erroneously attached) and Indonesia in the upper left.
The map also features 17th & 18th century land and ice sightings in the southern seas, and name drops De L’Isle, Drake, Halley, and even Ortelius. Heading inward towards the Pole, the map shows a circle labeled ‘Land Yet Undiscovered,’ and another within that, labeled ‘Frozen Sea as Supposed.’ None of which stops it from depicting the best guesses as to what might exist there. Most interestingly, New Zealand is only the northernmost tip of a great southern continent.
This map was published in 1763 by the Gentleman's Magazine, a famous 18th century English journal, as part of an article entitled Geographical and Physical Observations, including a Theory of the Antarctic Regions, and the frozen Sea which they are supposed to contain, according to the Hypothesis of the celebrated M. Buache. Philippe Buache trained under the great cartographer De L’Isle, married De L’Isle’s daughter, and went on to become geographer to the King of France. One of the pioneering geographers of his era, Buache originated the concept of water basins, and hypothesized a great southern continent as two distinct land masses. Following the best practices of his time, he compiled the first iteration of this Antarctic map in 1739, based on seafarer's sightings, and on his own theory that South Pole glaciers must originate from a great frozen sea to the south, itself fed by waters that run down from great mountains. Buache’s mapping of the South Pole as two land masses is often cited by alternative history buffs as proof that he had secret knowledge of a pre-glacial Antarctica extracted from a lost civilization (Atlantis?) or possibly space aliens. In fact Antarctica is a cluster of smaller islands attached to several large landmasses which are themselves covered by a great ice sheet; however, Buache’s map bears no relation to reality of the continent’s sub-glacial topography. His mapping of Antarctica is rather based solely on scientific speculation – which his article explains in considerable detail. A great map for the explorer in all of us.
Date: 1763 (dated)
Source: Gentleman's Magazine, Buache, P., 'Geographical and Physical Observations, including a Theory of the Antarctic Regions, and the frozen Sea which they are supposed to contain, according to the Hypothesis of the celebrated M. Buache', (London) January, 1763.
References: Tooley, R. V., The Mapping of Australia and Antarctica, 273. Jolly, D. C., Maps in British Periodicals, GENT-166. Marshall, D. W., Research Catalog of Maps of America to 1860 in the William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, I-201-1-2. Spence, Sydney A., Antarctic Miscellany: Books, Periodicals & Maps Relating to the Discovery and Exploration of Antarctica, (London) 3029b. Clancy, R., and RIchardson, A., So Came They South, p. 112-3.
Cartographer: The Gentleman's Magazine (fl. c. 1731 - 1922) was an English periodical founded by visionary Edward Cave. Considered the world's first monthly general interest magazine, GM was also known as Trader's Monthly Intelligencer. Cave's innovation was to create a monthly digest of news and commentary on any topic the educated public might be interested in, from commodity prices to Latin poetry. It carried original content from a stable of regular contributors, as well as extensive quotes and extracts from other periodicals and books. Cave, who edited The Gentleman's Magazine under the pen name "Sylvanus Urban", was the first to use the term "magazine" (meaning "storehouse") for a periodical. The iconic illustration of St John's Gate on the front of each issue (occasionally updated over the years) depicted Cave's home, in effect, the magazine's "office". Among the important firsts of the The Gentleman's Magazine are the first use of the term "magazine" for a periodical and the first regular employment of lexicographer Samuel Johnson. Click here for a list of rare maps published in the Gentleman's Magazine.
Cartographer: Phillipe Buache (1700 - 1773) was a late 18th century French cartographer and map publisher. Buache began his cartographic career as the workshop assistant and apprentice to the important and prolific cartographer Guillaume de L'Isle. Upon De L'Isle's untimely death, Buache took over the publishing firm cementing the relationship by marrying De L'Isle's daughter. Over the years, Bauche republished many of De L'Isle's maps and charts. Buache was eventually appointed Premier Geographe du Roi, a position created-for and previously held by Guillaume de L'Isle. Buache is best known for his introduction of hachuring as a method from displaying underwater elevation on a two dimensional map surface. Despite this important innovation and his royal post, Buache's own cartographic work is known for being speculative and generally inaccurate, especially regarding the Pacific, the northwestern parts of America, and Antarctica. Today, Buache is a favorite of speculative science and alternative history buffs who point to his wildly inaccurate maps as proof that ancient civilizations once lived under the ice in Antarctica. Click here for a list of rare maps from Phillipe Buache.
Size: Printed area measures 9 x 8 inches (22.86 x 20.32 centimeters)
Condition: Very good. Original folds.
Code: Antarctica-gentlemansmagazine-1763 (to order by phone call: 646-320-8650)
Framing: We offer optional framing services. The fee to frame and mat this map is 225.00 USD plus 35.00 USD shipping. This optional service is in addition to the cost of the map itself. Conservation framing is an excellent way to beautify and protect your antique map. Click here to read about our framing services and see our frame samples. To order framing, please call our customer service number.
|
