Color engraving, 320x1095 mm. Second edition of this large map on a scale of 1:400,000. Originally published in 1886 by the same publishers, ERHARD Freres. Traces of editorial folds, some marginal tears, and creases at the edges.The map is significant as it was the first printed map of New Caledonia at this size. Gustave Gallet, the map's creator, was the head of the topographic service in New Caledonia. His map meticulously details the island's relief and infrastructure, including roads, tramways, and district boundaries. It also marks the locations of the island's 30 penitentiary centers in green. These penal colonies were part of a broader French effort to transport prisoners, including Communards post-Paris Commune of 1871, to New Caledonia. "An extremely rare map of New Caledonia, and the first printed map of this size. It was drawn by Gustave Gallet, head of the topographic service of New Caledonia. This much detailed map shows the relief, with the indication of the altitudes, and the road network of the island: carriage roads and mule tracks, completed or under construction, trams, completed, under construction or planned, planned roads, ridges, and district boundaries. The 30 penitentiary centers of the island are shown in green and numbered. The island is divided into five arrondissements. A penitentiary establishment which has now disappeared, the Bagne or penal colony of New Caledonia was active from 1864 to 1924. Many French prisoners from mainland France (around 21,000) were deported there. From 1872, nearly 5,000 Communards were deported to New Caledonia, the most famous of them being the activist Louise Michel, a major figure in the Paris Commune of 1871, and the journalist Henri Rochefort. Appointed to the New Caledonia topographical service at the age of 22, Gustave Gallet spent most of his career on the territory. He led the creation of the agricultural centers of Moindou, La Foa and Kone. He was successively head of the indigenous affairs service, acting director of the Interior of New Caledonia, acting governor, and then permanent governor of the French Establishments of Oceania (current French Polynesia) from 1896 to 1902, date of his retirement after having spent 30 years in New Caledonia and Polynesia." (Begonia Le Bail, 2021)