OCEANIA AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND POLYNESIA PACIFIC 1830ca LAPIE UNUSUAL ANTIQUE MAP

Océanie, ou Australasie, Polynésie et Iles Asiatiques Dressée par P. Lapie, Géographe. 

Description: Striking and highly detailed fine unusual Pierre Lapie’s 1830 approx. original copper engraved map depicting the region of Oceania, including Australia, Southeast Asia, and numerous Pacific islands. Notably, Australia is labeled as "Nouvelle Hollande," reflecting the French naming convention of the time. This indicates the period's geographical knowledge and colonial interests. The map shows political boundaries, major cities, rivers, and mountains, with relief depicted using hachures. The scale is approximately 1:53,000,000, and the prime meridian is based on Paris, which was common in French cartography.
 
The cartographic style is characteristic of the early 19th century, with a focus on precision and detail. The map uses engraved lines for clarity and is colored to enhance the distinction between different regions. The inclusion of both Australasian and Polynesian regions under the term "Océanie" highlights the European perspective of these territories during the age of exploration and colonization.
 
Significant landmarks include the labeling of major islands and territories, such as "Nouvelle Guinee" (New Guinea) and various islands across the Pacific. The map’s inscriptions are in French, which is consistent with its origin. The absence of vignettes and the use of outline coloring suggest a focus on functionality and educational use, rather than decorative elements.
 
This map is culturally and historically significant as it reflects the geopolitical landscape at a time when European powers were exploring and claiming territories in the Pacific. It was part of a second edition atlas, which included updated material, showing how cartography evolved with new discoveries and political changes.
 
Source: Pierre Lapie. Atlas Classique et Universel De Geographie Ancienne Et Moderne, Servant tant à l'instruction de la Jeneusse qu'à l'intelligence de l'Histoire et des Voyages dans les differentes parties du MondeDressé pour l'Instruction de la Jeunesse, et notamment pour les Colleges Royaux, et les Ecoles Militaires. Par M. Lapie, Colonel au Corp Royal des Ingénieurs Géographes Militaires, Chevalier des Ordres Royaux de Saint-Louis et de Légion d'Honneur. ancient Directer du Cabinet Topographicque du Roi. Cinquième Édition, Revue et Corrigée. A Paris, Chez Anselin, Successeur de Maginet ... Et Chez Poquet.

Date: 1830 approx. ( undated )

Dimension: Map size approx.: cm 39,7 x 27,8

Condition: Very strong and dark impression on good paper. Map old original colored. Wide margins. Small foxing and browming. Small hole along the top margin due to the binding. Conditions are as you can see in the images. 

Mapmakers: Pierre M. Lapie (fl. 1779 - 1850) and his son Alexandre Emile Lapie (fl. 1809 - 1850) were French cartographers and engravers active in the early part of the 19th century. The Lapies were commissioned officers in the French army holding the ranks of Colonel and Capitan, respectively. Alexander enjoyed the title of "First Geographer to the King", and this title appears on several of his atlases. Both father and son were exceptional engravers and fastidious cartographers. Working separately and jointly they published four important atlases, an 1811 Atlas of the French Empire (Alexander), the 1812 Atlas Classique et Universel (Pierre), the Atlas Universel de Geographie Ancienne et Modern (joint issue), and the 1848 Atlas Militaire (Alexander). They also issued many smaller maps and independent issues. All of these are products of exceptional beauty and detail. Despite producing many beautiful maps and atlases, the work of the Lapie family remains largely underappreciated by most modern collectors and map historians. The later 19th century cartographer A. H. Dufour claimed to be a student of Lapie, though it is unclear if he was referring to the father or the son. The work of the Lapie firm, with its precise engraving and informational density, strongly influenced the mid-19th century German commercial map publishers whose maps would eventually dominate the continental market.