1787 - "Nlle. Galles Meridle ou Cote Orientale de la Nouvelle Hollande - Esquisse de la Terre VAN-DIEMEN Par le Capne Furneaux".

An early French chart with a series of inserts all of which show the discoveries made by James Cook on the east coasts of Australia.

Overall size approximately 29.2 x 42.5cm.

Condition is excellent.

Cook was chosen to lead an expedition to the South Seas to observe the transit of Venus, in preference to the Royal Society's recommendation of Alexander Dalrymple. The Admiralty wisely chose Cook and promoted him from master to Lieutenant and gave him command of the H.M.S.Endeavour, a 368 tons converted collier. He sailed from Plymouth on 26 August 1768 with a completement of ninety-four. They reached Tahiti on 13 April 1769 and made their observations and charted the islands. Cook had also been given, secret instructions just prior to his departure, to determine the existence of a souther continent which instructed him to sail to the portion of the north west coast of the south island of New Zealand that had been discovered by Abel Tasman in December 1742. in August 1769, he charged the islands of New Zealand.