P & A Lapie

• Title : Oceania
• Date : 1840
• Condition: (A+) Fine Condition
• Ref:  21425
• Size: 17in x 12in (430mm x 305mm)

Description:
This detailed original hand coloured lithograph map of Australia, New Zealand, Polynesia & Micronesia - Oceania - with an inset map of part of the coast of Sydney, NSW from Double Bay to Shoal Bay by Pierre & Alexandrie Lapie was published as a single map Kaeppelin & Co. in 1840.

General Definitions:
Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy and stable
Paper color : - off white
Age of map color: - Original
Colors used: - Yellow, green, blue, pink
General color appearance: - Authentic
Paper size: - 17in x 12in (430mm x 305mm)
Plate size: - 17in x 12in (430mm x 305mm)
Margins: - Min 1/2in (12mm)

Imperfections:
Margins: - None
Plate area: - None
Verso: - None

Background: 
Early map of Australia and Oceania, the east coast is still referred to as NSW, with no sign of development of Melbourne or Victoria with New Zealand listing early Cook & Maori place names. The inset map of the central NSW coast is still largely lacking in detail past Bathurst, with Australia Felix noted in the south.

Lapie, Pierre & Alexandre
Pierre M. Lapie 1779 - 1850 and his son Alexandre Emile Lapie 1809 - 1850 were French cartographers and engravers active in the early part of the 19th century. The Lapies were commissioned officers in the French army holding the ranks of Colonel and Captain, respectively. Alexander enjoyed the title of First Geographer to the King, and this title appears on several of his atlases. Both father and son were exceptional engravers and fastidious cartographers. Working separately and jointly they published four important atlases, an 1811 Atlas of the French Empire (Alexander), the 1812 Atlas Classique et Universel (Pierre), the Atlas Universel de Geographie Ancienne et Modern (joint issue), and the 1848 Atlas Militaire (Alexander). They also issued many smaller maps and independent issues. All of these are products of exceptional beauty and detail. Despite producing many beautiful maps and atlases, the work of the Lapie family remains largely underappreciated by most modern collectors and map historians. The later 19th century cartographer A. H. Dufour claimed to be a student of Lapie, though it is unclear if he was referring to the father or the son. The work of the Lapie firm, with its precise engraving and informational density, strongly influenced the mid-19th century German commercial map publishers whose maps would eventually dominate the continental market.