2. Prints and Maps by Country
  3. Indian Ocean
  4. Lilliput & Blefuscu by Jonathan Swift. Gulliver's Travels. Indian Ocean 1751 map
Lilliput & Blefuscu by Jonathan Swift. Gulliver's Travels. Indian Ocean 1751 map

Lilliput & Blefuscu by Jonathan Swift. Gulliver's Travels. Indian Ocean 1751 map

Product SKU: P-6-108664

Price £180.00

Lilliput and Blefuscu [Sumatra & Tasmania - Gulliver's Travels] by Jonathan Swift (1751). Antique copperplate fantasy parody map, 17.0 x 9.0cm, 6.5 x 3.5 inches
facebook twitter pinterest

CAPTION PRINTED BELOW PICTURE: Lilliput and Blefuscu [Sumatra & Tasmania - Gulliver's Travels]

One of the first fantasy maps ever published, of Lilliput and Blefuscu, two fictional island nations that appear in the first part of the 1726 novel Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift. Both are inhabited by tiny people who are about one-twelfth the height of ordinary human beings. Swift’s map places these fictional island nations in the South Indian Ocean, south west of Sumatra and north west of Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania). The islands’ location is described both in the text and on a map, though neither matches real-world locations. The latitude is given as 30°2'S, but the longitude is omitted. The map positions Tasmania south of the Sunda Strait, ignoring its well-documented location, and that of New Holland (Australia), of Swift’s time; relative to Tasmania, the island would be located in central Australia. Scholars suggest the unlikely geography satirises unreliable travel literature of the era, possibly hinting at a Pacific Ocean location for Lilliput. The map is unattributed, though Swift was known to be on friendly terms with the cartographer Herman Moll, who is mentioned in the book as "my worthy friend". The maps were only included in the early editions of the book.

DATE PRINTED: 1751    

IMAGE SIZE: Approx 17.0 x 9.0cm, 6.5 x 3.5 inches (Small)

TYPE: Antique copperplate fantasy parody map

CONDITION: Good; suitable for framing. Please check the scan for any blemishes prior to making your purchase. Please contact us if you would like to arrange to view this map. Virtually all antiquarian maps and prints are subject to some normal aging due to use and time which is not obtrusive unless otherwise stated. We offer a no questions asked return policy.

AUTHENTICITY: This is an authentic historic print, published at the date stated above. It is not a modern copy.

VERSO: There is nothing printed on the reverse side, which is plain

ARTIST/CARTOGRAPHER/ENGRAVER: Jonathan Swift

PROVENANCE: "Travels into several remote nations of the world. In four parts.", by Lemuel Gulliver, first a surgeon, and then a captain of several ships. The fifth edition, corrected. London: Printed for Charles Bathurst, and sold by T. Woodward, C. Davis, C. Hitch, R. Dodsley, and W. Bowyer. MDCCLI [Gulliver's Travels, by Jonathan Swift]

Packing

Items smaller than A4 size are usually packed in a stiffened, board-backed envelope. Larger items are rolled and packed in postal tubes. Large items which are too stiff to be rolled in wide-diameter tubes are mailed in all-board envelopes. In the unlikely event of damage in transit, please send the affected item or items back to us and we will provide a replacement or refund.

Delivery

Economy, tracked and express shipping options are available to all destinations worldwide. Over half our orders are sent to customers outside the United Kingdom and we have supplied over 30,000 buyers in over 70 different countries. We ship orders virtually every business day to customers in North America and Europe. The cost of delivery depends on the size of the largest item in your order, where you are located, and the delivery method that you choose at checkout. For orders received before 2pm, we can arrange delivery next day in the UK, within 2 business days to continental Europe and North America, and within 4 days to most other countries worldwide (excludes PO Box or APO/FPO (Military) addresses).

Returns

We accept returns for any reason if sent back to us within 14 days of receipt of your order. If any of your items are not as described, we will provide a full refund including reasonable return postage costs upon safe return to us. If you have changed your mind, you are responsible for the cost of returning the item to us. We describe the size, age and condition of all our products as fully and accurately as possible. Most of the items which we sell are in very good condition. However, the condition of antique and vintage prints and maps can vary. All of our product listings including a statement which classifies the condition as being either “Good”, “Fair”, or (rarely) “Poor” and which describes any material flaws, blemishes, imperfections or other significant features such as folds. Please read the description carefully before purchase.

Products You Recently Looked At
Recent Product
Lilliput & Blefuscu by Jonathan Swift. Gulliver's Travels. Indian Ocean 1751 map
£180.00