A Chart of Part of the Interior of NSW with Plans of the Harbours respectfully dedicated to Major Mitchell, Surveyor General of New South Wales

Acquired From: Tim McCormick

Colouring: Coloured

Condition: Fair

Confirmed: Yes

Date Acquired: 15/9/2000

Description: This separately issued, large-scale map of New South Wales was published by Joseph Cross in London in 1832 and dedicated to Major Thomas Livingstone Mitchell (17921855), then Surveyor General of New South Wales. Mitchells distinguished career included four major expeditions into Australias interior to map uncharted territories, culminating in his knighthood in 1838.nThe maps inscriptions reflect the gradual progress of exploration in the Australian interior. Near Botany Bay, an annotation commemorates it as "celebrated for the first landing of Captain Cook and Sir Joseph Banks" in 1770. Despite the advances in coastal settlement, vast areas of inland New South Wales remained unmapped at the time of publication, underscoring the continued need for inland exploration.nAlong the south coast, a further inscription records the expedition of Hamilton Hume (17971873) and William Hilton Hovell (17861875), who set out in 1824 to find new grazing lands and to trace the courses of westward-flowing rivers. Their journey, though successful, was marked by personal conflict, culminating in a dramatic split of their suppliessymbolised by the comical division of a shared tent and even a frying pan. Their feud continued after their return, with Hovell accusing Hume of "paltry vanity" and "morbid egotism" in the Australian press.nAn inset map along the upper edge shows the Brisbane River, discovered in 1823 by John Oxley and named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, then Governor of New South Wales. The Brisbane regions strategic importance for colonial expansion is emphasised.nThe map also highlights the extensive landholdings of the Australian Agricultural Company (#37 on the map), founded in 1824. Granted one million acres, the company played a central role in developing New South Waless pastoral economy under the leadership of Sir William Edward Parry, an Arctic explorer and colonial administrator.nTwelve inset maps illustrate significant ports and harbours, including a general map of Australia, Moreton Bay and the Brisbane River (1825), Port Stephens, Port Jackson, Jervis Bay, the entrance of Port Hunter (after John Bingles surveys), Broken Bay, Botany Bay, Port Hunter, Port Macquarie, Twofold Bay, Port Phillip, and Western Port.nAlthough engraved and published by Joseph Cross, the imprint on this copy is partially obscured by a pasted-over label reading: "Sold by J. Wyld, Geographer to the King, Charing Cross East, nearly opposite Northumberland House," indicating later distribution through James Wylds (17901836) prominent London map business.nThis detailed chart exemplifies the growing European understanding of New South Wales during the early decades of inland colonisation and reflects the blend of cartographic precision, exploration history, and colonial ambition characteristic of early nineteenth-century Australian maps.

Engraver: Cross, Joseph (fl. 1816-1854)

First published: Separate publication. London: Joseph Cross, 1832

Mapmaker: Cross, Joseph (fl. 1816-1854)

Price: A1,450 incl gst

Primary Category: Southern Continent

Purchase Reference: Inv. 15 September 2000

Rarity: R3 Uncommon – dealers can usually obtain a copy

References: Ferguson, Bibliography of Australia, 1365, nPerry & Prescott, A Guide to Maps of Australia1830.07, nR. V. Tooley, The Mapping of Australia and Antarctica, 2nd ed. (London: Holland Press, 1985), 7 and 2078.nSLNSW has the following editions 1827, 1829, 1833, 1834, 1835, 1839

Sheet size (cm): 95×62

Technique: Copper Engraving

This state: 1832


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