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A description of the curious, diverse and most rare plants, birds and fish that one finds in New Holland (Western Australia)
A description of the curious, diverse and most rare plants, birds and fish that one finds in New Holland (Western Australia)

A description of the curious, diverse and most rare plants, birds and fish that one finds in New Holland (Western Australia)

Maker (French / Dutch, 1684 - 1743)
Date1719
Object number00017875
NameEngraving
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 417 x 487 mm, 0.02 kg
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionPage 16 from the 'Atlas Historique' by Henri Abraham Chatelain. Title running along the top of the page reads 'Description de l'Isthme de Darien, des proprietez du Pais et de la Ville de Panama: A la quelle on joint une description curieuse des diverse Plantes, Oiseaux, Poissons les plus rares qui se trouvent dans Nouvelle Hollande' ['Description of the Isthmus of Darien, the country and town of Panama plus the plants, birds and fish to be found in New Holland']. The account and engravings (those of the fish) are taken from the voyage of William Dampier to Western Australia. The four fish in the first engraving are titled Fig 1. Espece de Thon puis sur la Cote de la Nlle Hollande Fig 2. Poisson que les Matelots appellent vielle femme Fig 3. Le Dauphin les Anciens ... (Dolphin) Fig 4. Poisson que nos matelots appellent Dauphin... (Dolphin Fish). The fish in the second engraving are titled 'Seche prise vers...' (Squid): 'Le Poisson apelle Moine': Poisson volant...' (Flying Fish): La Remora qu'on trouve attache sur le dos des Chiens - Marins (Remora that one finds attached to sharks). The volume and page details 'Tom: VI No. 29 Page 116'.HistoryZacharie Chatelain (d.1723) and his sons Henri Abraham (1684-1743) and Zacharie Junior (1690-1754) worked in partnership publishing the 'Atlas Historique' published in seven volumes between 1705 and 1720, with a second edition appearing in 1732. The maps were accompanied by information pertaining to geography, history, topography and other subjects , heraldry, and costume of the world presented by the Chatelains in an encyclopaedic form. The accompanying text is in French and often is printed in two columns on the page with maps and other illustrations interspersed. Each map and table is numbered consecutively within its volume. SignificanceThe 18th century was a period of great exploration and the European publoic were cauyght up in the excitememht of fresh discoveries. Published accounts of voyages all types were popular and 'Atlas Historique', first published in 1705, became an immense seven-volume encyclopedia. Although the main focus of Chatelain's text was geography, the work also included a wealth of historical, political, and genealogical information.