Bayliss, E.P. and J.S. Cumpston

Handbook and Index to Accompany a Map of Antarctica. Canberra: L. Johnston, 1939. 8vo, org. boards; pp. [7], 8-90; colour map. First ed.

Together with: [Map of] Antarctica. Canberra: 1939, 2 sheets, laid down on linen to fold, coloured; provenance: 2nd Lt. G.B.N. Creswick, 5th Btn. Wilts. Regt. This map was purchased directly from the Commonwealth of Australia Department of External Affairs, 6 Richmond Terrace, Whitehall, 7th Oct. 1940. With accompanying letter apologising for the delay sending the map and handbook as they were out of stock of maps, though expecting more from Australia.

 

Like so many maps, this one came into being for the purpose of political expression. At the 1926 Imperial Conference in London a committee headed by Stanley Bruce, then Australian Prime Minister, began considering the possible extent of Antarctic territory which could be claimed for the British Empire. In order to push the claim, the New Zealand and Australian governments agreed to fund an expedition to aid British claims on the basis of discovery. The need for an up-to-date map was therefore pressing and the Survey Branch of the Department of the Interior attempted to produce one in 1929. Unfortunately, existing information was limited, and aerial overflights had not yet started, and the map produced was of little value. The expedition went ahead however, raising the flag in four locations and allowing the British government to formally claim East Antarctica. The territory passed to Australian control with the passing of the Australian Antarctic Territory Acceptance Act in 1933.

 

The need for a proper map was now a significant concern and efforts were begun in earnest. However, it was not until 1938 that an intensive cartographic study was begun which would culminate in the production of this map, the start of Australia's 1:10,000,000 series. The Departments of External Affairs and Interior Affairs each sent an expert - Joh Crumpston and Edward Bayliss respectively - to collate information and produce the map. It was finally published in 1939 (10 years after the first effort for the BANZARE expedition) and accompanied by explanatory handbook. The print run was 2000 copies, some of which were distributed to politicians and overseas posts, the rest of which were made available for sale. There were two versions: a single sheet 1:10,000,000 map for 5 shillings and this two-sheet 1:7,500,000 version for 7/6. It was revised after extensive air exploration in 1956 and went to 7 editions. It was a masterpiece of cartography and political will which formed part of Imperial