Large, Wonderfully Detailed, Pictorial Map of Australia

SPILHAUS, Margaret Whiting. [London, c. 1929]

Australia/ Cartographic Education. SPILHAUS, Margaret Whiting/ GEORGE PHILIP AND SON, LTD. [London, c. 1929]  Australia… 28 ¼ x 38 ¾ inches, 72 x 98.5 cm.  Lithographed, folded, linen-lined map as issued; fine condition.                                                      

Lovely example of this scarce, ambitious, pictorial map of Australia, enlivened by literally hundreds of illustrations, depicting the continent’s history, wildlife, and its unique cultural icons. The continent’s maritime bounty is highlighted by a chain of the multiple varieties of fish that encircle Australia’s surrounding waters.  In a quite original approach to historical events, Spilhaus focuses on the more mundane episodes within “large” events. For example, one vignette is captioned: “Matthew Flinders Midshipman And George Bass Surgeon With The Boy Martin Launch The Tom Thum.1796.”  Clearly, she is attempting to make history come alive with her focus on its more relatable, “minor” players.  This reflects her background as a writer and illustrator of children's literature, who authored South African Nursery Rhymes and The Limber Elf. She later expanded her interest to the more complex themes of exploration and colonial history, as seen in titles like The Background of Geography and South Africa in the Making: 1652-1806. This diverse literary journey culminated in her creation of a series of pictorial maps, with the Australia map being a prime example of her cartographic skill and historical insight.

Still, holding a central place on the map is a striking cartouche depicting Captain James Cook's arrival and subsequent claim of Australia for Great Britain in August 1770. This is flanked by a border of square-rigged ships. The lower right corner features another notable cartouche that houses the seal of Australia, above which sits a representation of a building marked with 'Canberra, May 1927,' likely signifying the opening of the Provisional Parliament House.

Margaret Spilhuas Whiting (1889-1981) was a British born, South African author, illustrator and geographical educator who produced five educational wall maps including this one between 1927 and 1943.

Sold