Tag Archives: ian burnet

24 November 1642, Van Diemens Land

Posted on July 29, 2020 by

In the late afternoon of 24 November 1642, and thankfully still in daylight, the Dutch East India Company ships Heemskerk and the Zeehan sighted distant mountains. An overnight storm could dash them onto this unknown coast and they prudently decided … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

An Indonesian Market

Posted on June 29, 2020 by

How much fun is an Indonesian market? Lively,  full of fun and friendly banter as the vendors (mainly women) sell their fish, fruit, and vegetables from their kitchen gardens. This market is on the island of Saparua in Maluku, Eastern … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Clear skies over Jakarta!

Posted on June 3, 2020 by

As you can see from this painting by Hendrik Jacobsz, it was possible in 1650 to see the mountains behind Jakarta from the harbour. Mountains which are about 60 km inland, are not far past the town of Bogor, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Historic Maps in Marble

Posted on May 19, 2020 by

The new Amsterdam City Hall was completed in 1655. This remarkable building which was built on 13,659 wooden piles at a cost 8.5 million guilders, is now the Royal Palace and still dominates the Dam Square today. The relatively simple … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

1934 London to Melbourne Air Race – The Flight of KLM Uiver

Posted on April 27, 2020 by

The 1934 air race from London to Melbourne was sponsored by Melbourne businessman and philanthropist Sir Macpherson Robertson, founder of the MacRobertson Confectionery Company. The race was initiated as part of the Melbourne and Victorian Centenary celebrations. An exquisite gold … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

SIGNALS – Tasman Map Book Review

Posted on March 31, 2020 by

History Underfoot by Jeffrey Mellefont Like me, many Signals readers will have entered the State Library of NSW through the northern portico of the Mitchell Library and then crossed the vestibule to the muted reading room that’s so solemn with … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Coral Triangle, The Rajah Ampat and Wayag Island

Posted on March 18, 2020 by

In early 2020 I joined the Coral Adventurer on its voyage to the Rajah Ampat and the Spice Islands. The ‘Coral Triangle’ is the planet’s richest centre of marine life and coral diversity, with over 6,000 species of fish, 76% … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Sir William Dixon bronze doors at the Mitchell Library

Posted on February 18, 2020 by

Inspired by the style of doors that graced the entries of some of America’s most significant public buildings, the bronze portico doors at the entrance to the Mitchell Library in Sydney illustrate various elements of Australian history. Principal librarian William … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

The Dutch Prime Minister and the Tasman Map

Posted on December 18, 2019 by

  The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr Mark Rutte, spent three days on a working visit to Sydney and Melbourne from 9 to 11 October 2019. Mr Rutte’s busy schedule began at Admiralty House where he was appointed an … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

THE GLOBE – Tasman Map Book Review

Posted on December 5, 2019 by

The Tasman Map , also known as the Bonaparte Tasman Map, is a prize possession of the Mitchell Library in Sydney. It was bequeathed to the Library, though in a rather roundabout fashion explained in detail in Chapter 27, by … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment