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Description

One of the Earliest Obtainable Views of Singapore

Rare early view of Singapore, published in Paris in 1846.

The view was created during the expedition of Dumont D'Urville (1790-1842), from sketches drawn while the Astrolabe and Zellee, anchored at Singapore for six days from June 27 to July 2, 1839.

This view is from the west side of Government Hill looking across the upper part of the Singapore River to Chinatown, which can be seen at the center left.  The double-story hipped roof of the Thian Hock Keng, then under construction on the shore of the Telok Ayer basin, towers above the roofs of Chinatown.

On the extreme left is Jackson's Bridge with an impression of the buildings on South Boat Quay. The small huts on the bank of the river in the middle represent Kampong Malacca. This land was subsequently filled in for the further extension of Chinatown. In the harbor is a steamship with smoke coming from its funnel. This is the first instance of a steamship shown on a print of Singapore.

 Rarity

This is the first time we have offered this view for sale. 

Reference
Teo, Chong & Oh P.80, Ill. Plate 15, p.36 Suen p.93, ill. p.93