This large very
handsome original antique of the Necker Island in the
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
by
Jean-François de Galaup, Comte de la Pérouse -
was published in the
1st edition of the Atlas du voyage de La Perouse, Paris 1797.
La Perouse set sail from France in 1785 to
continue the discoveries of Captain Cook. He was
shipwrecked in 1788 but his narrative, maps, and views
survived and were published in 1797.
Necker Island
(Hawaiian: Mokumanamana) is a small island in the
Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Northwestern Hawaiian
Islands, located 155 miles (135 nmi; 249 km) northwest
of Nihoa and 430 miles (370 nmi; 690 km) northwest of
Honolulu, and is part of the Hawaiian Islands National
Wildlife Refuge within the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
National Monument.
The United States Census Bureau reports its land area as
182,890 square meters, or 45.193 acres (182,890 m2).
The island is rocky with steep sides and has very little
soil. Its highest elevation is 277 feet (84 m).
Few signs of long-term human habitation have been found.
However, the island contains 33 stone shrines and stone
artifacts much like those found in the main Hawaiian
Islands. Because of this, many anthropologists believe
that the island was a ceremonial and religious site.
According to the myths and legends of the people of
Kauai, which lies to the southeast, Necker Island was
the last known refuge for a race of mythical "little
people" called the Menehune. According to the legend,
the Menehune settled on Necker after being chased off
Kaua'i by the stronger Polynesians and subsequently
built the various stone structures there. Visits to the
island are said to have started a few hundred years
after the main Hawaiian Islands were inhabited, and
ended a few hundred years before European contact.
French explorer Jean-François de La Pérouse was the
first European to visit the island, in 1786. The island
is named after Jacques Necker.
(Ref: Tooley; M&B)
General Description:
Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy and stable
Paper color: - off white
Age of map color: - Early
Colors used: - Green, yellow
General color appearance: - Authentic
Paper size: - 31in x 23in (780mm x 585mm)
Plate size: - 31in x 23in (780mm x 585mm)
Margins: - Min 2in (50mm)
Imperfections:
Margins: - None
Plate area: - None
Verso: - None
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