This map features Easter island in the Pacific Ocean. From 'Atlas du Voyage de La Perouse'. Suarez, T. (Pacific) p.169, fig.164.

This is a map representing the visit of the French Admiral and explorer, le Comte de La Pérouse to Easter Island in 1786 in the Pacific Ocean. In three panels, with a view. From the London firm of Robinson's highly rated English translation of the original French edition of the 'Atlas du Voyage de La Perouse' published in 1797. Hill p. 174; Suarez, T. (Pacific) p.169, fig.164.

This is a view of the town of Buru in Indonesia recording the visit of the French Admiral and explorer, le Comte de La Pérouse. Jean-Francois de Galoup, Comte de La Perouse led a French scientific expedition to the Pacific in 1785-88. He was one of the most noted naval commanders and navigators in France and was selected by King Louis XVI to complete Captain James Cook's exploration of the western Pacific. In a rare moment of co-operation the British Admiralty furnished scientific equipment to measure variations in magnetic north and for determining longitude. Fortunately for us La Perouse was meticulous in sending copies of his detailed logs and surveying via other ships as well as overland. His last contact was in the spring of 1788 with a British ship in Botany Bay, Australia. The expedition was never heard from again. When the French Government realised that it had been lost they decided to publish an account as in many other ways it is regarded as one the greatest French voyages of exploration. It was not until 1827 that their fate was known. Howes USIana L93; Nordenskiold Collection v. 2; Phillips 688; Sabin 38960; Shirley 'Atlases in the BL' G.LPR-1a.

A lovely early coloured copper plate view of Brighton, Sussex. By the mid-1700s English taste for prints was moving in to landscape views. One of the earliest proponents of this was a George Lambert (1700-65). However there is no evidence of any relation to our James Lambert. James (1725-88) was born in Willingdon, Sussex. He spent much of his life in Lewes and had London exhibitions between 1769 and 1778. In 1765 he painted this fine view of Brighton, and in the same year appeared an advert in the 'Lewes Journal'. first published in the same year. It stated 'Proposal for a print of the view of Brightelmston and the sea coast as far as the Isle of Wight from a drawing taken on the spot by James Lambert, Painter, Lewes. Conditions - the drawing shall be made very correct, and a print neatly engraved from it, two feet in length at least; the price, to subscribers, will be five shillings ...' As of 1995 the location of the original painting was unknown This is an example of the second state published by the firm of James Edwards of Brompton. It was engraved by the great talent Pierre Charles Canot (1710-77,) a Frenchman who practised etching and line engraving. He moved to England in 1740 where he spent the rest of his life. Although research seems to indicate that the Lambert family name died out, there is an interesting pencil notation on the verso by ‘J. Lambert’ dated 1817. The field depicted was known as Belle Vue. The whole depicts the coastal town of Brighton as we know it with farmers engaged in the harvesting of crops. Cattle are seen pulling the hay collected by people cutting with scythes. Further in the distance are three wind mills. In the centre of the view standing on its own is Baker's Library with a rotunda near. Provenance: pencil notation on the verso ‘1817 Aug 22 Received 14.9 for this Number J. Edwards’; private English collection since the 1980s. Mackenzie (1998) p. 117; Smith, Henry (1995) 'James Lambert. Every Picture tells a story', in 'Sussex Past and Present' August 1995.

In 1598 Barent Langenes published in Middleburgh a miniature atlas to rival that of Abraham Ortelius. The maps were largely engraved by Jodocus Hondius and his brother-in-law Pieter van den Keere. Shirley "Atlases in the BL" T.Lan 1a.

This fine early map of Saint Helena in the Atlantic Ocean with two small insets at the top. It is finely engraved by Benjamin Wright and was first published in the 'Caert-Thresoor' of 1598. This example is from the 1609 with Dutch text to the verso. Van der Krogt, P. (Atlantes).

This attractive map is from 'Langley's New County Atlas of England and Wales'. Edward Langley (fl.1802-1835) was an established publisher and bookseller. He was also a printer and engraver. Joining forces with William Belch early in his career they would publish 'Langley's New County Atlas of England and Wales' in 1818. The maps are variously dated between 1816-18. Each has an attractive vignette adorning the map. This example of Norfolk is in the first state, the second would bear the imprint of Joseph Phelps and was issued in 1820. Chubb 359; Frostick Norfolk 84.1.

From 'Langley's New County Atlas of England and Wales'. Edward Langley (fl.1802-1835) was an established publisher and bookseller. He was also a printer and engraver. Joining forces with William Belch early in his career they would publish 'Langley's New County Atlas of England and Wales' in 1818. The maps are variously dated between 1816-18 this example being 1817. Each has an attractive vignette adorning the map, in this case St. Michaels Mount. This example of Cornwall is in the FIRST state. Chubb 359; Quixley (1966) no. 49.

THE FIRST EDITION. One of the most attractive English county atlases of the early nineteenth century with each map adorned by a vignette view and all in early wash colour. Worms and Baynton-Williams state that Edward Langley (fl.1802-1827) might have been born 7 June 1771, the son of Henry and Mary Langley of London. Apprenticed to a printer in 1785 he went on to work in Dorking, Surrey. We do know that in 1805 he went into partnership with William Belch (fl.1805-43) from 1805 until 1819. Belch was born in 1773 and from 1788 was apprenticed to William Darton. From 1795 he was in partnership with Darton on the occasional item. The maps in this atlas are variously dated between 1817 and 1818 and were first available separately with a slipcase. The earliest noted was that of Kent dated 1 November 1816, but this is only seen as a loose map. In this atlas there is no date on that of Kent, a date is also omitted from Surrey. The balance are all dated from 1 June 1817 (Essex and Hampshire) to 1 November 1818 found on the general map of England and Wales.Langley's New County Atlas of England and Wales was published late in 1818. Each has an attractive vignette adorning the map. The atlas sold for £2 12s 6d bound, according to the pasted label affixed to the upper board. A few counties are re-orientated to fit more neatly on the map. In the case of Cornwall, it is rotated clockwise by 22 degrees whilst still retaining a compass rose pointing incorrectly to the top of the map. As noted by Quixley, this is compounded by the longitude and latitude markers in the margins. The atlas is rare today and was clearly not that successful as in October 1819 Langley and Belch went into bankruptcy (London Gazette). Chubb (1927) 359; Quixley (2018) no. 70; Smith (1982); Tooley’s Dictionary (1999-2004); Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).

This view of Port Louis in Mauritius is from Laplace’s second voyage of circumnavigation which consolidated French interests in the Pacific entitled 'Voyage Autour du Monde … La Favorite'. Dunmore states ‘the importance of the expeditions of the Venus, the Artemise and the Heroine in laying the foundations for the subsequent sharing-out of Oceania should never be overlooked ...’ Dunmore ‘French Exploration of the Pacific’ pp. 317-40; Judd & Lind ‘Voyages to Hawaii before 1860’ 105; Sabin 38983.