7 Nov 2017

Rare 17th century map found in an attic

10:06 am on 7 November 2017

A rare 17th century map of Australia, one of just two left, has gone on display after it was found in an attic in Sweden.

Archipelagus Orientalis  (Eastern Archipelago), was created by master cartographer Joan Blaeu in 1663.

Archipelagus Orientalis (Eastern Archipelago), was created by master cartographer Joan Blaeu in 1663. Photo: National Library of Australia

Created by renowned Dutch cartographer Joan Blaeu, the unique map was thought to have been lost forever.

Archipelagus Orientalis (Eastern Archipelago), as it was called, was unearthed in 2010 in storage in Sweden after 350 years.

It has gone on show at Australia's National Library, its permanent home.

It is believed that the treasure was buried away when a 1950s antique bookseller who owned a stockpile of books and maps went out of business.

The owners, whose identity is unknown, only realised the rarity of the map when it was sold at auction.

The National Library of Australia acquired it for an estimated price of AU$600,000 (NZ$665,839) in 2013 and, after a few years of restoration, it is now on display in the library's Treasures Gallery until mid-2018.

The map includes, for the first time, details of the sighting of Tasmania by Abel Tasman's crew aboard the Zeehaen in 1642.

It was the most current reflection of Australia at the time of its creation before the template was changed when Captain Cook explored the east coast in 1770.

Like most maps, it is likely to have been originally used as a decorative piece or a diplomatic gift.

- BBC