Carte Reduite des Mers Comprises entre L'Asia et L'Amerique Apelees par les Navigateurs Mer De Sud ou Mer Pacifique pour servir aux Vaisseaux du Roi 1742

Cartographer Jacques Nicolas Bellin (French, 1703 - 1772)

Date1742

Object number00040903

NameChart

MediumInk on paper, hand coloured

Dimensions940 x 1230 mm
Image: 590 x 300 mm

ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans

Credit LineANMM Collection

Collections

Navigators and Explorers

Terms

DescriptionThis 1742 French chart of the Pacific Ocean by Jacques Nicolas Bellin reflects the limited European knowledge of the Pacific in the first half of the 18th century.HistoryJacques Nicolas Bellin (1703-1772) joined the French Hydrographic office (Dépot des Cartes et Plans de la Marine) in 1720 and worked there for over 50 years. In 1741 he was appointed Chief Hydrographer (Ingenieur Hydrographe de la Marine) and later became the Royal Hydrographer. In 1764 Bellin published Le Petit Atlas Maritime (Le Petit Atlas Maritime recueil de cartes et plans des quatre parties du monde) in five volumes which contained several hundred maps. Among his other works are maps to l'Abbe Prevost's Histoire Generale des Voyages (1746-1757). Bellin also produced many accurate and finely engraved separately issued maps. The chart shows the state of knowledge of the Pacific Ocean in 1742. Details of Tasmania and New Zealand are based on Tasman's 1642- 44 discoveries. While the central Pacific is shown as largely unknown, the South American coast is shown in great detail with numerous place names. SignificanceThe chart is the work of Jacques Nicholas Bellin - Hydrographer to the French King and depicts the Pacific Ocean in 1742 at a time when the east coast of Australia and most of New Zealand remained yet to be surveyed. The chart is integral to the story of Pacific exploration and discovery.