La PéRouse [Portrait In Chine Colle Proof] [Laperouse] Woolnoth, T(Homas). (Engraver) Australia,Exploration

An chine collé aquatint proof of the famed French explorer 'From a Miniature in the possession of La Pérouse's niece at Alby.' Jean François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse [1740 - 1788], was a French naval officer from Albi, France and explorer of the Pacific Ocean. After coincidentally meeting the Australian First Fleet in Botany Bay in 1788, he refitted his ships, sailing for the Solomon Islands, where he met his demise. His fate was not discovered until 1827, when Pacific trader Peter Dillon found evidence of the wrecks at Vanikoro in the Solomons. 'Proof' in lower left corner. Under the text is written "Under the Superintendance of th Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge" followed by the Charles Knight text. Plate mark 8 x 11 1/2" on paper 11 1/4 x 16 1/4". Marks and 2 small closed tears in margin not affecting image.