Lot of 4 Australian Engravings

Lot of 4 Australian Engravings
Three engravings from Peron & Freycinet's work:

This fine engraving is from Francis Peron's Voyage de Decouvertes aux Terres Australes Execute par ordre de S. M. l'Empereur et Roi, sur les Corvettes le Geographe, le Naturaliste, et la Goelette la Casuarina, pendant les annee 1800, 1802, 1803 et 1804. The work was published in Paris by L'Imprimerie Imperiale between 1807 and 1816. The engraving was completed by Pillement and Dupare.

This engraving was completed after the expedition of Louis Claude de Saulces de Freycinet & Nicholas Baudin. It was one of the most important early explorations of Australia. The expedition was sent out by the French government in 1800 with orders to complete the survey of the Australian coast.

Commanded by Nicolas Baudin, the expedition left France in 1800 and sailed via Mauritius to the Australian coast in the region of Cape Leeuwin, arriving in May 1801. Peron sailed as naturalist on the expedition and Freycinet as cartographer. The vessels, Geographe and Naturaliste, sailed north from Cape Leeuwin, surveying the coast and making observations on the natural history and inhabitants, until they crossed to Timor.

After three months the two ships set out for Tasmania, continued making detailed surveys, and went on to Sydney. The group then undertook a complete survey of the southern coast and an examination of the northern coast before returning to Mauritius. It was a celebrated voyage which brought back to France the most important collection of natural history specimens in the history of the French Museum.


One engraving from Barrington's work:

This originally hand-colored engraving is from George Barrington's works The History of New South Wales, including Botany Bay, Port Jackson, Parramatta, Sydney and all its dependencies... and An Account of a Voyage to New South Wales… The work was published in London by W. Flint for M. Jones in 1802.

George Barrington was a convict that got transported to Australia in the Third Fleet. He was infamously known as the 'Prince of Pick-Pockets.' This work was "..the earliest work with handcoloured topographical views of New South Wales." (Wantrup) There is some speculation as to Barrington's actual involvement with the publication (Wantrup).


Paper Size: ~ 13 3/8" by 10"
~ 8 1/2" by 5 1/2"


Paper Type or Special Features: Originally Hand-colored Engraving

The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox marks to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.