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Exceptional Napoleon III period trumeau decorated with a landing on astral earth. Extremely rare at the time.
Three "Astrolabes" flying the French flag took turns in the course of history to transport scientists to the Antarctic ice. Dumont D'Urville's corvette was the first when Terre Adélie was discovered. In 1988, the TAAFs began chartering an icebreaker to provide logistical rotations between Hobart and the Dumont D'Urville base (DDU) during summer campaigns. The vessel has also been christened Astrolabe, in homage to the French explorer's ship. Her 30 years of service are recounted in a beautiful book that Christophe, a TA47 winterer, kindly lent me last year.
Ref: VJU93EBEGO