Staeten Landt Bezylt en Ontdekt met de Scheepen Heemskerk en de Zeehaen onder het Commande van den E. Abel Tasman. In den Iaare 1642. Den 13 December.

In the upper part an early map of Staten Landt depicting Tasman's voyage down the west coast of New Zealand in his ships Heemskerk and Zeehaen. The coast line in the Cook Strait area is continuous as was Tasman's preference when confronted by areas that he could not investigate closely. (110x173mm.)
One of the earliest separate depictions of Staten Landt published in François Valentyn's "Oud en nieuw Oost-Indien" in 1724-1726. Engraved by Frederik Ottens.
When Tasman discovered part of New Zealand, in 1642-43, he thought it was possible that the land stretched across the south Pacific as far as the southern tip of South America.

According to Ellis' "Early Prints of New Zealand", this view is regarded as the first Western representation of Maoris. In need of fresh water, a landing party was thwarted by the heavy surf at Three Kings Islands. They did sketch several men of "great stature" they saw on the hills, which "gave rise to the theory that New Zealand was populated by a race of giants, a myth not disproved until Cook's visit 127 years later."
A map & a view printed on a single sheet, the map of the west coast of New Zealand, the view of Three Kings Islands with the Maoris visible on the hilltops.

Below : "Aldus vertoont zich het Drie Koningen Eyland, als gy het aen de Noort West Zyde op 40. Vademen van uw heft." Tasman's ships can be seen in the foreground. The view is attributed to Isaac Gilsemans.

François Valentijn (1666-1727), a missionary, worked at Amboina from 1684 to 1694 and 1705 to 1713 and travelled extensively in the VOC's lands. He is best known for his monumental history and description, "Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën" which remains one of the most important primary sources for the East Indies and neighboring lands.

More about François Valentijn [+]