This chart exemplifies French theoretical cartography during the mid-18th century of which Bellin was a leading exponent. This school of cartography attempted to complete Australia’s uncharted coastline by joining in the remaining gaps. As a result, Australia’s east coast forms a hypothetical continuous line from New Guinea to Tasmania, swelling out to include the New Hebrides (‘Terre du St Esprit’). To his credit, Bellin does note in reference to the east coast that he supposes Tasmania will be joined to the New Hebrides. He also states in reference to the south coast, that his charting of the eastern section from Nuyts Land to Tasmania is conjectural.
It is commonly believed that the French were the first to label the New Hebrides as part of the Australian east coast. Several examples however pre-date the French. In 1731 the globe maker Richard Cushee employed such a depiction on his terrestrial globe. Also the marble world map commissioned by the Amsterdam government in 1746 (Schilder map 67) and completed by Jacob Martensz the same year, (as is evidenced by an inscription on the reverse of one of the marble slabs), shows a similar depiction.
Bellin’s map takes into account the discoveries made by Tasman in Australia and New Zealand during his first 1642-43 and second 1644 voyages.
Bellin also notes in reference to Tasman’s discoveries in New Zealand, that the coast discovered by Tasman may well be part of a large southland at the Antipodes of Europe. Cook’s charting of New Zealand’s two islands some seventeen years later than Bellin’s map, laid to rest any further conjecture regarding the existence of Terra Australis Incognita.
This is the French edition of Bellin’s map. It was first issued in French, then Dutch, then German (M38 / 1) and Danish (M38 / 3). The geography of the various editions is without change however the titles and the text on the map itself do change.
Tooley #159, p24
