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ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 43 | February 2000


Recent rare map acquisitions

A unique and early map of Melbourne, created in 1853, was recently acquired through auction by the Library. Drawn by the Government surveyor, F.C. Christie, the map, in manuscript on early butter-tracing paper, depicts a fledgling city with the principal streets of the Central Business District outlined.

The River Yarra and Hobson’s Bay are highlighted in blue, and other landmarks, such as Emerald Hill, are also featured. The map represents the earliest depiction of Melbourne in the Library’s Collection.

Also acquired at auction was an interesting folio of plans relating to the settlement at Port Arthur. Titled in manuscript, Maps & Plans of Old Port Arthur Settlement, the collection consists of blue linen drawings, issued by the Tasmanian Public Works Department in 1917, of plans of the military barracks and church, drawn between 1846 and 1853. An overall plan of the settlement as it appeared in 1863 accompanies the set.

A further significant acquisition was made through an American dealer. James Imray’s Eastern Passages to China and Japan, issued as a series of charts through the 1880s, preceded the British Admiralty charts of the area which are still issued today. Known as ‘blue-backs’ because of the stiff blue backing used on all of his charts, Imray’s charts provided an accurate record of the world’s seas at that time.

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Please address any comments and enquiries to The Editor, Gateways: tford@nla.gov.au

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