The published accounts of the French expedition to New Holland (Australia), with the maps and illustrations of Francois Peron (zoologist), Charles-Alexandre Lesueur (artist) and Louis de Freycinet (cartographer) are beautiful and much sought-after.

Issued in several editions between 1807 and 1824, the State Library set is complemented by the editions held by the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (SA Branch) and from which some of the images in this exhibition have been reproduced, with kind permission.

The title page medallion of the publication features an engraving depicting the palace of Empress Josephine at Malmaison, with kangaroos and emus disporting on the lawns. Artist - Charles Alexandre Leseur. This is not a piece of imaginative artistry, but actual fact. Specimens gathered on the Baudin expedition did indeed survive the long voyage back to France, finding a new home at the chateau of the Empress.

Permission to use this item for any purpose, including publishing, is not required from the State Library under these conditions of use.

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