A scarce map of Fiji

ARROWSMITH, John.

Fiji or Viti Group. Surveyed by Com.r Wilkes U.S.N. 1840. with additions by Capt.n Denham, R.N., 1857. To accompany Colonel Smythe's Report.
Oxford & London: John Henry & James Parker, 1864. Lithograhic map with hand colour. Sheet 540 x 630mm.

Narrow right margin, repairs to binding folds.

A map of the islands of Fiji, based on American and Royal Navy charts, published in Mrs Sarah Smythe's 'Ten Months In The Fiji Islands. With an Introduction and Appendix by Colonel W. J. Smythe', on which 'Colonel Smythe's Track is colered Red'.
William James Smythe (1816-87), a colonel in the Royal Artillery, was sent to Fiji in 1860 when a Fijian chief asked to be annexed by Britain (to counter American aggression). He concluded that the islands were too remote to be profitable. This map was published in Smythe's official report and reprinted here.


Stock ID : 21918