1844 Black Map of Australia and New Zealand
Australia-black-1844$175.00
Title
Australia.
1844 (undated) 11 x 15.5 in (27.94 x 39.37 cm) 1 : 22000000
1844 (undated) 11 x 15.5 in (27.94 x 39.37 cm) 1 : 22000000
Description
This is a fine example of Adam and Charles Black's 1844 map of Australia and New Zealand. The map covers from the East Indies to the Auckland Islands and the Chatam Islands of New Zealand. It includes New Holland or Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania (then known as Van Diemen's Island), Papua New Guinea and Melanesia. Various cities, towns, rivers, mountains, islands and several other topographical details are noted with relief shown by hachure. An interesting map issued just as most of the earth's non-polar shore has been explored. Gone are many of the errors of the previous century with the coastlines accurately rendered. Inland though, much remained confused. Vast stretches of unmapped territory and speculative cartography fill central Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
In 1840, after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, the British annexed New Zealand as part of the Australian colony of New South Wales. However, it separated from New South Wales to become a colony in its own right in 1841. Victoria, which became an independent colony separate from New South Wales only in July 1851, is here depicted as part of New South Wales and is identified as 'Australia Felix' (the early name given to the lush green pastures of western Victoria). This map was engraved by Sidney Hall and issued as plate no. XLI in the 1844 edition of Black's General Atlas.
In 1840, after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, the British annexed New Zealand as part of the Australian colony of New South Wales. However, it separated from New South Wales to become a colony in its own right in 1841. Victoria, which became an independent colony separate from New South Wales only in July 1851, is here depicted as part of New South Wales and is identified as 'Australia Felix' (the early name given to the lush green pastures of western Victoria). This map was engraved by Sidney Hall and issued as plate no. XLI in the 1844 edition of Black's General Atlas.
CartographerS
Charles and Adam Black (fl. 1807 - present) were map and book publishers based in Edinburgh. Charles and his uncle, Adam, both of Edinburgh, Scotland, founded their publishing firm in 1807. They published a series of maps and atlases throughout the 19th century. In addition to an array of atlases, the Black firm is known for their editions of the Encyclopedia Britannica (1817 - 1826) and the first publishing of Sir Walter Scott's novels in 1854. In 1889 the A. & C. Black publishing house moved to London where it remains in operation to this day. More by this mapmaker...
Sidney Hall (1788 - 1831) was an English engraver and map publisher active in London during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His earliest imprints, dating to about 1814, suggest a partnership with Michael Thomson, another prominent English map engraver. Hall engraved for most of the prominent London map publishers of his day, including Aaron Arrowsmith, William Faden, William Harwood, and John Thomson, among others. Hall is credited as being one of the earliest adopters of steel plate engraving, a technique that allowed for finer detail and larger print runs due to the exceptional hardness of the medium. Upon his early death - he was only in his 40s - Hall's business was inherited by his wife, Selina Hall, who continued to publish under the imprint, "S. Hall", presumably for continuity. The business eventually passed to Sidney and Selina's nephew Edward Weller, who became extremely prominent in his own right. Learn More...
Source
Black, A. and C., Black's General Atlas (Edinburgh), 1844.
Black's General Atlas was a popular Scottish atlas of the world issued by the Edinburgh firm of Adam and Charles Black. This atlas was first issued in 1840 with subsequent editions being printed well into the 1890s. While most editions were printed in Edinburgh, an American edition was issued in 1857. Most early editions of his atlas were engraved by S. Hall. Typically this refers to Sidney Hall, who died in 1831, but in this case, since the engraving was initiated well after his death, it was most likely his widow, Selina Hall, who did the engraving. Later editions feature additional maps updated and engraved by William Hughes. Early editions featured outline color only, but later editions embraced a full color approach with pale green, yellow, and blue pastels. All editions are known for their meticulous presentation of the most up-to-date cartographic information. Moreover, this exceptionally long publication run provides a fine cartographic record of the middle to late 19th century - particularly as regards the complex cartographic evolution of the Americas through this period.
Condition
Very good. Original platemark visible. Blank on verso.
References
Philips (atlases) 4334.