- 479
Flinders, Matthew
Estimate
150,000 - 200,000 GBP
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Description
- Flinders, Matthew
- Observations on the coasts of Van Diemen's Land, on Bass's Strait and its Islands, and on part of the coasts of New South Wales; intended to accompany the charts of the late discoveries. London: Printed by John Nichols, 1801
- paper
FIRST EDITION, ISSUE A (see footnote), 4to (292 x 225mm.), [iv], 36pp., on paper watermarked 1799; bound with: 3 large folding engraved charts by A. Arrowsmith after Flinders, each on paper watermarked 'J. Whatman 1794' (see footnote), together bound in a folio volume (450 x 338mm.), contemporary French green morocco-backed pink marbled boards
One of the rarest Australian travel books and bound with the three charts, recording the latest discoveries by Flinders, George Bass and others, including the information that Van Diemen's Land was an island.
Only one other copy is known with the charts bound-in: the Bass-Waterhouse copy (with variant title 'B'), sold at Christie's London in 1998 (8 April, Lot 130), and only 11 other copies of the text are known: 7 in Australian institutions (one of which is defective), 2 in Australian private collections, and 2 in the British Library.
There are two variants of the title recorded by Wantrup, issue 'A' (as here), with Lieutenant misspelt 'Lieutenat' and the imprint 'Printed by J. Nichols; and issue 'B' with Lieutenant spelt correctly and with the imprint 'Printed for A. Arrowsmith .. By J. Nichols.' Issue 'A' is assumed to be the earlier issue, given the correct spelling of Lieutenant in variant 'B' and that the variant 'B' title-page of a copy sold at Christie's in 1998 was a cancel.
The three large folding charts comprise:
1. Port Dalrymple, on the North Coast of Van Diemens Land as surveyed by the Norfolk sloop by M. Flinders ... Nov. and Dec. 1798. The Southernmost of Furneaux's Islands. Western Port on the S. Coast of N.S.W., examined by M. Flinders and Mr R. Simpson, October 1798; 4 charts on one sheet, (London: A. Arrowsmith, Feb. 20, 1801)
2. Chart of Part of the Coast of New South Wales, from Ram Head to Northumberland Isles, By M. Flinders, 2nd Lieut. of H.M.S. Reliance, 1800 (London: A. Arrowsmith, Feb. 20, 1801).
3. A Chart of Bass's Strait between New South Wales and Van-Diemen's Land; Explored by Mattw. Flinders 2nd Lieut. of his Majesty's Ship Reliance, by order of His Excellency Governor Hunter. 1798-9 (London: A. Arrowsmith, June 16th, 1800).
One of the rarest Australian travel books and bound with the three charts, recording the latest discoveries by Flinders, George Bass and others, including the information that Van Diemen's Land was an island.
Only one other copy is known with the charts bound-in: the Bass-Waterhouse copy (with variant title 'B'), sold at Christie's London in 1998 (8 April, Lot 130), and only 11 other copies of the text are known: 7 in Australian institutions (one of which is defective), 2 in Australian private collections, and 2 in the British Library.
There are two variants of the title recorded by Wantrup, issue 'A' (as here), with Lieutenant misspelt 'Lieutenat' and the imprint 'Printed by J. Nichols; and issue 'B' with Lieutenant spelt correctly and with the imprint 'Printed for A. Arrowsmith .. By J. Nichols.' Issue 'A' is assumed to be the earlier issue, given the correct spelling of Lieutenant in variant 'B' and that the variant 'B' title-page of a copy sold at Christie's in 1998 was a cancel.
The three large folding charts comprise:
1. Port Dalrymple, on the North Coast of Van Diemens Land as surveyed by the Norfolk sloop by M. Flinders ... Nov. and Dec. 1798. The Southernmost of Furneaux's Islands. Western Port on the S. Coast of N.S.W., examined by M. Flinders and Mr R. Simpson, October 1798; 4 charts on one sheet, (London: A. Arrowsmith, Feb. 20, 1801)
2. Chart of Part of the Coast of New South Wales, from Ram Head to Northumberland Isles, By M. Flinders, 2nd Lieut. of H.M.S. Reliance, 1800 (London: A. Arrowsmith, Feb. 20, 1801).
3. A Chart of Bass's Strait between New South Wales and Van-Diemen's Land; Explored by Mattw. Flinders 2nd Lieut. of his Majesty's Ship Reliance, by order of His Excellency Governor Hunter. 1798-9 (London: A. Arrowsmith, June 16th, 1800).
Literature
Ferguson 329 (text only, without the charts; "very rare"); Tooley, Mapping of Australia, (for the charts): 65, 66 (two issues: one watermarked 1794, another 1800) and 601; Wantrup 65a ("the dream of every collector") and 66
Condition
A fine copy
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."