A NEW CHART OF THE WORLD ON MERCATOR'S PROJECTION with The Tracks & Discoveries of the Latest Circumnavigators &c. by SAMUEL DUNN, Mathematician.

Description

Copper Engraving with original wash and outline hand colour.

Published by Laurie and Whittle, No. 53 Fleet Street London. Not dated in the title-piece. [Originally published in Dunn's 'New Atlas of the Mundane System; or, of Geography and Cosmography; ...' by Robert Sayer 10 January 1774; subsequently it was published by Laurie & Whittle, 12 May 1794; this edition, c. 1812.]

Image size: 320mm x 430mm; 12 5/8" x 17" approx.

In generally good to very good condition: engraving crisp, colour bright. The areas of wash and that of the compass rose are particularly spectacular; no tears, folds or creases. One old stain apparent at bottom left impinging 25 x 55mm into the image. (See photo).

Australia is shown as New Holland; New Zealand appears twice at the eastern and the western extents; Antarctica is referred to only as 'Southern Icy Ocean'. The coastal outlines of the continents of North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania are quite accurately drawn and includes a some of the major towns and cities. The interiors are sparse in detail save the courses of the rivers, etc. 

Most notably the chart shows the tracks of Cook's three voyages of exploration and discovery between 1768 - 80. Also shows tracks of Bouvet 1739, Byron in 1765, Bougainville in 1768 and Phipps in 1773.

Samuel Dunn was born in Crediton, Devon c. 1723. He moved to London in 1751 where he first made his living as a teacher and later garnered a reputation as a mathematician. In 1757 he invented a 'Universal Planisphere' - 4 large stereographical maps including a transparent index to each. 1774 saw the publication of his major work: 'A New Atlas of the Mundane System, or of Geography and Cosmography, describing the Heavens and the Earth ...' Samuel Dunn died in London in January 1794. A good account of his life and publications can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Dunn_(mathematician)

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