A picturesque early glimpse of Sydney

Description

This view was drawn and engraved by Pierre Eugène Aubert during the first half of the 19^th century. In the present example, it was issued posthumously in 1861 as an illustration for the Géographie universelle by Conrad Malte-Brun, updated and published by Dufour, Mulat et Boulanger.

The composition features the central section of Sydney Harbour, as seen from the Lower North Shore, possibly Milsons Point. Looking across the water, the view is centred on the tip of present-day Dawes Point, with ships dotting Sydney Cove to the left. To the south thereof, a church is depicted as a prominent landmark. Given its location and the fact that it appears as the only one in the vicinity, we can confidently identify it as St. James’s Church and therefore also date the original drawing to between 1824 and 1847, i.e. the years after St. James’s was consecrated and before Aubert died. Further narrowing down of this time window appears difficult. While construction of St. Andrew's Cathedral (as Sydney’s next major church) commenced already in 1837, it would not have been a major landmark until near the end of its construction, in 1874.

The print title is positioned directly below the image, at bottom centre of the sheet.

Printed by Gilquin & Dupain.

A splendid view of colonial Sydney before the middle of the 19^th century.

Publication

Géographie universelle de Malte-Brun : revue, rectifié e et complètement mise au niveau de l'état actuel des connaissances géographiques [1861]

Condition

Fine.

A crisp impression on a clean sheet. Beautiful, delicate colouring. Towards left edge, faint offsetting. Light toning along edges.

Reference

St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney. (2026, September 22). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Andrew's_Cathedral,_Sydney

St James’ Church, Sydney. (2026, July 29). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_James%27_Church,_Sydney

Item #: 02366

US $200.00

other currencies