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Inhabitants Of Amsterdam-Island In The South Seas With Some Of Their Small Vessels [Tonga]

c1777. Hand-coloured engraving, 28.4 x 16.5cm. Foxing overall, minor tears, crinkles and missing portions to margins.

Text reads “Viz. 1. A fishing proa [multi-hull outrigger], 2. A vessel with a sail at anchor, 3. A vessel without a sail at anchor. Engraved from Middleton’s Complete System of Geography.” Held in SLNSW.

The island of Tongatapu, Tonga, was first sighted by Europeans in 1643 by Abel Tasman commanding two ships. “Tasman named the island ‘t’ Eijlandt Amsterdam’ (Amsterdam Island), because of its abundance of supplies. This name is no longer used except by historians.” Ref: Wiki.

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Item #CL198-6

Price (AUD): $770.00  other currencies