Melchisedech Thévenot was a French author, scientist, traveller,

Acquired From: Leen Helmink

Colouring: Uncoloured

Condition: Very Good

Confirmed: Yes

Date Acquired: 20/8/2012

Description: Melchisedech Thévenot was a French author, scientist, traveller, cartographer, orientalist, inventor, and diplomatrenowned for his insatiable curiosity and broad scholarly interests. Among his many achievements, the publication of Relation de divers voyages curieux (16631672) stands out as one of the most important seventeenth-century collections of travel narratives.nVolume 1 includes an abridged translation of Francisco Pelsaert's dramatic account of the 1629 Batavia shipwreck and mutiny, La terre Australe descouverte par le capitaine Pelsart. Of particular significance is Thévenots accompanying map, based on Abel Tasmans 1644 voyage, titled Hollandia Nova Terre Australe. It documents key Dutch explorations in Australia and the Cape York Peninsula including:n Dirk Hartog (1616): The first European known to have set foot on the western coast of Australia, naming it "'t Landt van Eendracht" (Land of Eendracht).n Frederick de Houtman (1619): Conducted further explorations along the west coast.n The Leeuwin (1622): A Dutch ship whose name was given to the southwestern cape of Australia, now known as Cape Leeuwin.n Jan Carstenszoon and Willem Joosten van Colster (1623): Explored northern Australia, including Cape York and Arnhem Land.n Pieter Nuyts (1627): Mapped parts of the southern coast of Australia, known for his journey on the 't Gulden Zeepaert (Golden Seahorse).n Gerrit Frederikszoon de Witt (1628): His discoveries contributed to mapping part of the Australian coastline, leading to the designation "G.F. de Wits Land."n Abel Tasman (1644): Famous for his voyages that resulted in the mapping of Tasmania (originally named Van Diemen's Land) and parts of New Zealand. The chart incorporated Tasmans discoveries, designating Australia as Hollandia Nova: detecta 1644 (New Holland: discovered in 1644).nThévenots map underwent several revisions, with Simon Dewez identifying six distinct states:n''First State (ca. 1663, this map):'' Lacks rhumb lines and the Tropic of Capricorn (though the name is present). The latitude numbering is erroneous, omitting 3 and misplacing 4 where 5 should appear. Tasmans track is absent.n''Second State (ca. 1664):'' Adds the Tropic of Capricorn but still omits rhumb lines. The latitude numbering error remains uncorrected.n''Third State (ca. 1666):'' Corrects latitude numbers, adds rhumb lines, but excludes the Triall Islands.n''Fourth State (ca. 1672-1674, see #32):'' Incorporates the Triall Islands.n''Fifth State (ca. 1683): ''Adds the number "19" in the top right corner.n''Sixth State (ca. 1696):'' Adds Tasmans first voyage track (1642-1643).nThévenots inclusion of Hollandia Nova detecta 1644 played a pivotal role in disseminating Dutch discoveries to a European readership and profoundly influenced subsequent French and English maps of the South Land.

First published: in Relation de diverse voyages curieux, Vol. 1. Paris: Jacques Langlois, 1663

Mapmaker: Thévenot, Melchisédech (1620-1692)

Price: 23,500

Primary Category: Southern Continent

Purchase Reference: Ledger Inv. 2012023. See also email 24 Nov 2024

Rarity: R2 Very rare – one or two copies appear on the market

References: Dew (2007), Reading Travels in the Culture of Curiosity, 3959.nDewez (2004), The Printed World V, 52, map 43nPerry (1982), The Discovery of Australia, 61

Technique: Copper Engraving

This state: 1663 First