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The Quest for a Land Route to Perth. The First Successful Survey of a Route Around the Great Australian Bight.
Fine, original, antique map of southern Australia showing the route taken by the important Australian surveyor John Forrest, as he voyaged across the Australian continent from Perth to Adelaide.
Forrest, responsible for discovering much of the interior of West Australia, was selected to lead a crossing of the Bight in the fall of 1869. He retraced the route of the Eyre expedition, which was completed but took twelve months and nearly lead to Eyre's death. Forrest was significantly better equipped, and his expedition took seven months fewer than Eyre's expedition, but failed to find more feed and water. Forrest had chartered a ship to supply provisions at Eucla, which had a recently discovered harbor.
This map shows the route of the Forrest expedition in fine detail. His encampments are shown and dated. Features are shown throughout, including any water and feed sources.
Forrest was well received in Perth following his return, and his further expeditions cemented his legacy. Following his surveying career and fame from expeditions, he entered politics, and would later become premier of Western Australia.
Rarity
We have been unable to trace any additional examples of this map as having appeared on the market.
