The Oldest Map Reproduction of Australia
Authors: Brinke Josef 
Published: February 2024

The author attempts to solve the problem of the oldest preserved map reproduction of Australia quoting known as well as less known map documents dating from the end of the 15th and the beginning of the 16th century. In the introduction he mentiones maps dating from the period of 1492 (Nürnberg Globe by Martin Behaim) to 1597 (Wytfliet's Map), and discusses their quality. Some authors, such as Collingridge, believe that a portulan or some other sea map must have existed on which the western coast of Australia was drawn. The author on the other hand, refuting this opinion says that none of the above-mentioned maps can be considered a reliable picture of Australia or any of its part of that time. He pays quite a lot of attention to the Dauphin's map (1530-36) and other maps of this group which Collingridge considers Lusitanian-French planiglobes. There are maps by Jean Rose (Roze) (1542), Pierre Desceliers (1546, 1550, 1553) and a less known copy by Nicholas Vallard which is part of his handwritten atlas of 1547. The last map discussed in much detail is the map the copy of which was found by the author in the archives of the Public Library of Victoria in Melbourne. The dimensions of the litographical copy of Vallard's map of the "East Australian coast", held in the previously-mentioned library and forming part of his handwritten atlas of 1547, are as follows: 21,875" x 14,875" (555,615 x 377,815 mm). We may suppose that also the dimensions of the original map were the same. The litographic copy, printed on a normal sort of paper, was compiled in blue, yellow, green, red and gold colours which have considerably faded with age. The map is orientated towards the south and is provided with scales of latitudes divided by 1° on both margins. The "eastern coast of Australia" is drawn here similarly as in Dauphin's, Desceliers' and Rose's maps. The areas of oceans are sketched with drawings of various sea monsters and animals, and picturesque scenes are sketched over the Australian continent. Narrow strips of paper heavily decorated with drawings, having no connection whatsoever with the contents of the map, are attached to both left and right margins. In the right-hand bottom corner the longitudinal scale is given where one section corresponds roughly to 1 grade of latitude. As has been mentioned above, the map as well as the whole Vallard's atlas, is in handwriting, and is provided with hand-painted illustrations. Vallard as well as Dauphin, Rose and Desceliers drew the Australian coast-line similarly. His map may consequently be arranged into the group of Lusitanian-French planiglobes. If we compare the nomenclatures on individual maps of the Dauphin's group we come to the conclusion that it is the Vallard's map that is provided with the most detailed terminology. Collingridge considers Dauphin's map the original map of Australia, and provides several proofs to back up his opinion. The author thinks that the above mentioned map by N. Vallard is the true picture of the East Australian coast, and belongs consequently to the oldest existing map representations of Australia, if not being the oldest copy itself.