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Daniel Crouch Rare Books info@crouchrarebooks.com crouchrarebooks.com 4 Bury Street St James’s London SW1Y 6AB +44 (0)20 7042 0240

Contents

Introduction British Isles and Europe: 1-11 Africa: 12-18 Southeast Asia: 19-33 Americas: 34-47 Australia and the Pacific: 48-59

Introduction

Daniel Crouch Rare Books is proud to offer a fascinating group of late nineteenth century, and early twentieth century nautical charts. The majority of the charts were used aboard the Norwegian barque ‘Fortuna’. As the charts attest the vessel saw service throughout the world, though her principal route was from Norway to the Far East and Australia. Built in 1892, one of the largest constructed in Norway at the time, her first voyage was to Melbourne, with a cargo of timber. Voyages would continue until 1904, when the ship was sold and renamed ‘Helga’. In 1905, she suffered fire damage, whilst on a voyage from Sydney to Honolulu, and subsequently condemned. The following year she was bought by Australian company and refitted. She would continue to ply international waters until 1910, when she sunk - on the 12th December - on a voyage from Newcastle to San Francisco. The collection gives us a fascinating insight into the range of charts that merchant shipping would carry at the time. About a third of the collection is made-up of charts by the English firms of Frederick Imray, Norie & Wilson, and R. H. Laurie; the leading commercial chartsellers throughout the nineteenth century. The charts produced by these firms, with their broad scale, and numerous insets marking the principal ports, had dominated the commercial shipping market. However, by the end of the century they began to come under increasing competition from the charts issued by the British Admiralty – the majority of the charts in the collection - which although more expensive, and often covering a less broad area, where more accurate and updated more frequently. Ultimately, the competition from the Admiralty would prove too great for the commercial chartsellers, and by 1904 all three firms would merged to form; Imray, Laurie, Norie and Wilson. The chart of the River Thames (item 1) dated 1909, bears the new companies name. As well as these English behemoths, the collection also contains four charts (Haiti – item 37, Sicily – item 11, South Africa – item 16, and Western Australia – item 54) by the United States Navy Hydrographic Office. Set up in 1866 the U.S.N.H.O.’s intention was to move away from the U.S. Navy’s reliance on British Admiralty charts, clearly a mammoth task. Initially, the charts were not licenced for sale to the general public, meaning few examples have survived.

The River Thames

IMRAY, LAURIE, NORIE, AND WILSON; APPLETON, J[ames] W[illiam] River Thames. Publication London, Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson, Ltd., 156, Minories, 1907. Description Engraved chart, on two sheets, joined, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, backed on blue paper, small tears to margins, small hole top-right. Dimensions 1070 by 1450mm. (42.25 by 57 inches).

£300

Large chart of the coast of the Rio de la Plata, and the River Uruguay, published three years after the merger of Imray, Laurie, and Norie. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart bears two insets: the River Thames to London; and Sea Reach and River Medway. The chart was drawn and compiled by John William Appleton the principal hydrographer working for the Norie and Wilson firm during the middle of the nineteenth century. The chart is engraved by Henry Stephenson Homewood, son of Thomas Homewood, who had been apprenticed to John Stephenson - John Norie’s principal engraver - in 1820, and had married his daughter Louisa Martha, in 1829. As well as an engraver for the Norie firm, Homewood was also a publican, running the Princess Alice in Forest Gate in 1896 and the Willesden Junction Hotel in 1899-1900. He was also a keen amateur singer. James Imray (1803-1870), worked originally in the stationery and account book publishing business. In 1836, Imray joined with the chartmaker Michael Blachford. The partnership flourished and soon began to compete with the larger firm of Norie and Wilson. In 1846 Imray bought out Blachford. By the time of James’s death in 1870 the business had become the leading commercial chart publisher of its day. The business was carried on by his eldest son, James Frederick Imray (1829–1891). James Frederick had become a partner in the book and instrument sides of the business, in 1854, and the firm had changed its name to James Imray & Son. The 1870s would represent the high-water mark of the firm, with no less than three locations associated with the company: charts were produced at 89 Minories; 102 Minories was a saleroom for charts and books, and the nautical academy; and 1 Postern Row was a shop selling instruments. Alas James Frederick’s tenure led to the firm’s gradual decline, who lacked both the business acumen and the chart making knowledge of his father, with few new charts being commissioned. James Frederick also faced stiff competition from the Admiralty, whose charts, though more expensive, and less popular with merchant vessels, where being vigorously promoted by the Board of Trade as more accurate and reliable. Upon his death, in 1891, the business (his children being underage) was run by two employees, Alfred Imray ( James’s cousin), and Henry Jenkins, until the brothers James Cutbill and Herbert Parbury came of age. However, with trading conditions increasingly tricky it was no surprise that when, in 1899, the firm of Norie and Wilson approached the two young men with the proposal for amalgamation that they readily accepted. The full amalgamation would take some time with Wilson’s overtures to the Kettle brothers, who were now running the firm of Laurie, somewhat reluctant to join. However, after the Kettle brother’s failure to sell their remaining plate stock to the Admiralty, their succumbed to the inevitable, and the new company of Imray, Laurie, Norie and Wilson, was formed in 1904.

The Irish Sea

IMRAY, James F[rederick] The Irish or St George’s Channel. Publication London, James Imray and Son, 89 & 102 Minories, 1887. Description Engraved chart, on four sheets, joined, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, chartseller’s stamp centreright, backed on blue paper, minor loss to top margins, minor staining. Dimensions 1035 by 2220mm. (40.75 by 87.5 inches).

£400

Large chart of the coast of the Irish Sea published by the leading commercial chart maker of his day James Imray. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart bears numerous insets: Holyhead Bay; Tuskar Rock &c.; North Rocks & c.; entrance to Lough Strangford; entrance to Carlingford Lough; entrance to Lough Foyle; Belfast Lough; Lands End; Lundy Island; Milford Haven; South Coast of Man; Douglas Bay; The Firth of Clyde; and Maryport. Below the title is an explanation and key, the letters P.D. on the chart signifying ‘position doubtful’ and ‘?’ ‘doubtful’. Imray has also

added a plea: “The publisher’s respectfully request communications that may tend to the improvement of this or any other of their works”. This was a somewhat forlorn attempt to keep up with and compete, with the more accurate Admiralty charts, which by the late nineteenth century, had begun to take more and more of Imray’s business. The chart bears the stamp of Quintin and Moore ship chandlers, who had a shop on King’s Street, Maryport, Cumbria. Maryport was one of the principal ports in Cumbria during the nineteenth century, importing raw materials of the coal industry, and exporting coal.

West Coast of Ireland

IMRAY, James F[rederick] Western Coast of Ireland included between Louche Foyle and Waterford. Publication London, Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson, Ltd., 156, Minories, 1907. Description Engraved chart, on three sheets, joined, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, chartsellers’ stamps centreleft, backed on blue paper, minor tears to left and right margins, staining. Dimensions 2010 by 1065mm. (79.25 by 42 inches).

£850

Large chart of the west and south coast of Ireland, published by the leading commercial chart maker of his day James Imray. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart bears numerous insets: Sligo Bay; Lough Foyle; Sheep Haven; Killybegs Harbour; Broad Haven; Clew Bay; Inisheer; Killeany Bay; Galway Bay; Dungarvan; Kinsale; Blasket Sound; Crook Haven; Cork Harbour; Valentia; Bear Haven; Bantry; and Waterford. Below the tile is an explanation and key: the letters ‘P.D.’ on the chart signifying ‘position doubtful’ and ‘?’ ‘uncertain and doubtful’. Imray has also added a plea: “The publisher’s respectfully request communications that may tend to the improvement of this or any other of their works”. This was a somewhat forlorn attempt to keep up with and compete, with the more accurate Admiralty charts, which by the late nineteenth century, had begun to take more and more of Imray’s business. The chart bears three stamps: one of James Imray stating that the chart has been updated to 1887; and the other two of Quintin and Moore ship chandlers, who had a shop on King’s Street, Maryport, Cumbria. Maryport was one of the principal ports in Cumbria during the nineteenth century, importing raw materials of the coal industry, and exporting coal.

The Firth of Clyde

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; ROBINSON, Captain C[harles] G[epp] Firth of Clyde and Loch Fyne. Publication London, Admiralty, Jany. 12th 1869. Large corrections August 1890, January 1892. Description Engraved chart, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, tear to top margin, skilfully repaired. Dimensions 1225 by 695mm (48.25 by 27.25 inches).

£150

Detailed British Admiralty chart of the Firth of Clyde and Loch Fyne. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, magnetic variation, and coastal profiles, with principal ports and rivers marked. The British Hydrographic Office was founded in 1795 by George III, who appointed Alexander Dalrymple as the first Hydrographer to the Admiralty. The first charts were produced in 1800. Unlike the U. S. Coast Survey the Hydrographic Office was given permission to sell charts to the public and they produced a great number of sea charts covering every corner of the globe. Most of the Admiralty charts produced by the Hydrographic Office delineated coastline as well as high and low water marks and record depth of water as established by soundings. In addition these charts included information on shoals, reefs, and other navigational hazards that plagued mariners across the world. Thanks to the innovations of Sir Francis Beaufort, who developed the Beaufort Scale of wind strength, the British Hydrographic Office became one of the leading producers of sea charts. In fact, such was their accuracy that the phrase ‘Safe as an Admiralty Chart’ was coined.

The Firth of Solway

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; KERR, Staff Commander J[ohn] H[ooper] The Firth of Solway. Publication London, Admiralty, 28th Decr. 1877. Large corrections Jan. 1881. Description Engraved chart, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, chartseller’s stamp bottom-right. Dimensions 990 by 695mm (39 by 27.25 inches).

£100

Detailed British Admiralty chart of the Firth of Solway. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart bears an inset of the Annan bridge to Carlisle. The survey was carried out by Staff Commander John Hooper Kerr (1828-1877), who lead important surveys of New Zealand, Chinese, and Canadian waters. In 1871, he was charged with carrying out a new survey of the west coast of England and Scotland.

Danish Chart of The Kattegat

DET KONGELIGE DANSKE SOKAART-ARCHIV Kattegat Publication Copenhagen, Det Kongelige Danske Søkaart-Archiv, 1906. Corrected to 28 Nov. [19]12. Description Engraved chart, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, chartseller’s stamp top-right, backed on linen. Dimensions 1020 by 710mm (40.25 by 28 inches).

£150

Rare Danish chart of the Kattegat, the treacherous body of water between Denmark and Sweden. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, magnetic variation, lighthouses and beacons with the range and intensity, and principal ports and rivers marked. The chart bears a stamp, notifying the seafarer that the chart has been updated to 1912. The Royal Danish Chart Archive (1784 - 1973) or Det Kongelige Danske Søkaart-Archiv was established by the Danish Crown in 1784, Impressed by the French Dépot des Cartes de Marine, the crown recruited Captain Lieutenant Poul de Løwenørn to act as the first director of the archive, Lowenørn collected nautical charts from all parts of the world. The archive later began issuing its own charts, often improving and updating older charts. The archive was merged with the Nautical Chart Archive and Life Guard in 1973.

Danish Chart of The Kattegat

DET KONGELIGE DANSKE SOKAART-ARCHIV Kattegattet. Publication [Copenhagen,] Det Kongelige Danske Søkaart-Archiv, 1886. Corrected 1887, 88, 89. Description Engraved chart, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, backed on blue paper, edged with pink and white striped cotton, minor loss to upper left margin. Dimensions 1010 by 670mm (39.75 by 26.5 inches).

£200

Rare Danish chart of the Kattegat, the treacherous body of water between Denmark and Sweden. The charts marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. The Royal Danish Chart Archive (1784 - 1973) or Det Kongelige Danske Søkaart-Archiv was established by the Danish Crown in 1784, Impressed by the French Dépot des Cartes de Marine, the crown recruited Captain Lieutenant Poul de Løwenørn to act as the first director of the archive, Lowenørn collected nautical charts from all parts of the world. The archive later began issing its own charts, often improving and updating older charts. The archive was merged with the Nautical Chart Archive and Life Guard in 1973.

The Skagerrak

IMRAY, James, F[rederick] Skagerrak. Publication London, James Imray and Son, 89 and 89a Minories, 1892. Corrected to 1893. Description Engraved chart, on two sheets, joined, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, chartseller’s stamp bottomleft, backed on blue paper, edged in brown cotton, some staining. Dimensions 1045 by 1300mm. (41.25 by 51.25 inches).

£350

Large chart of the Skagerrak, the large body of water bounded by Norway, Sweden and Denmark, published by the leading commercial chart maker of his day James Imray. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart bears numerous insets: Christiansand; Osterrisor; Kragero Inlet; Laurvig Fiord; Christiania (Copenhagen); Christiania Fiord; Arendal Inlet; and Winga Sound. Below the title Imray has added a plea: “The publisher’s respectfully request communications that may tend to the improvement of this or any other of their works”. This, together with the stamp stating the chart has been updated to 1893, was a somewhat forlorn attempt to keep up with and compete, with the more accurate Admiralty charts, which by the late nineteenth century, had begun to take more and more of Imray’s business.

The Baltic Sea Engraved by a Landlord

IMRAY, LAURIE, NORIE, AND WILSON, APPLETON, J[ohn] W[illiam] The Baltic Sea (Southern Part). Publication London, Imray, Laurie, Norie, and Wilson, Ltd, 156, Minories, 1908 [but 1909]. Description Engraved chart, on three sheets, joined, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, backed on blue paper, large tear bottom-right, skilfully repaired Dimensions 1050 by 1730mm. (41.25 by 68 inches).

£500

Large chart of the southern part of the Batlic Sea, published fours years after the merger of Imray, Laurie, and Norie. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of and profiles of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. The charts bears numerous insets including: Carlskrona; Ystad; Ronne; Kalmar Sound; the River Oder to Stettin; Colbergermunde; Rugenwaldermunde; Swineunde; Danzig; Libau; Canal to Konigsberg; Pillau; and Memel. The chart was drawn and compiled by John William Appleton the principal hydrographer working for the Norie and Wilson firm during the middle of the nineteenth century. The chart is engraved by Henry Stephenson Homewood, son of Thomas Homewood, who had been apprenticed to John Stephenson - John Norie’s principal engraver - in 1820, and had married his daughter Louisa Martha, in 1829. As well as an engraver for the Norie firm, Homewood was also a publican, running the Princess Alice in Forest Gate in 1896 and the Willesden Junction Hotel in 1899-1900. He was also a keen amateur singer.

The Southern Adriatic

DÉPÔT-GÉNÉRAL DE LA MARINE Carte de la Mer Adriatique. Publication [Paris], Dépôt-Général de la Marine, 1850. Corrigé en 1859. Description Engraved chart, printed in black and red, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, chartseller’s label pasted bottom-right, chartseller’s stamp bottomleft, small amount of loss to left and right margins, not affecting image, minor staining. Dimensions 990 by 660mm (39 by 26 inches).

£250

A French chart of the South Adriatic Sea. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, and principal ports and rivers marked. Arcs around the coastline indicate the distance from which the beam of a lighthouse can be seen. The chart bears the stamp and label of the Fillastre Frères, chart sellers active in Bordeaux during the nineteenth century. The Dépôt de la Marine, known more formally as the Dépôt des cartes et plans de la Marine, was the central charting institution of France. The centralization of hydrography in France began in earnest when JeanBaptiste Colbert became First Minister of France in 1661. Under his watch, the first Royal School of Hydrography began operating, as did the first survey of France’s coasts (1670-1689). In 1680, Colbert consolidated various collections of charts and memoirs into a single assemblage, forming the core of sources for what would become the Dépôt. The Dépôt itself began as the central deposit of charts for the French Navy. In 1720, the Navy consolidated its collection with those government materials covering the colonies, creating a single large repository of navigation. By 1737, the Dépôt was creating its own original charts and, from 1750, they participated in scientific expeditions to determine the accurate calculation of longitude. In 1773, the Dépôt received a monopoly over the composition, production, and distribution of navigational materials, solidifying their place as the main producer of geographic knowledge in France. Dépôtapproved charts were distributed to official warehouses in port cities and sold by authorized merchants. The charts were of the highest quality, as many of France’s premier mapmakers worked at the Dépôt in the eighteenth century, including Philippe Bauche, Jacques-Nicolas Bellin, Rigobert Bonne, Jean Nicolas Buache, and Charles-François Beautemps-Beaupré. The Dépôt continued to operate until 1886, when it became the Naval Hydrographic Service. In 1971, it changed names again, this time to the Naval and Oceanographic Service (SHOM). Although its name has changed, its purpose is largely the same, to provide high quality cartographic and scientific information to the France’s Navy and merchant marine.

Sicily and her waters

UNITED STATES NAVY HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; WYMAN, R.H., Capt[ain] A chart of the Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean seas from Sardinia to Malta. From the Latest British and Other Surveys. Publication Washington D.C. Hydrographic Office, 1871. [Corrections to 18]78. Description Engraved chart, with hand-colour in part, manuscript annotations in pencil, blue, and red crayon, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, tears to left and right margins, some staining. Dimensions 710 by 1075mm (28 by 42.25 inches).

£750

Rare early United States Navy Hydrographic Office chart of the waters surrounding Sicily. Highly detailed with multiple clusters of soundings and topographical relief. Tunisia features in the bottom left corner, although topographical details are only shown around the coastline. Dotted lines indicate banks, some of which are named. Arcs around the coastline indicate the distance from which the beam of a lighthouse can be seen. Various lines and crosses have been added to the map in colourful crayons. Robert Harris Wyman (1822-1882) was a rear admiral in the US Navy. After several tours of sea duty, Wyman headed the Navy’s hydrographic office for eight years. This was of great benefit to the US Navy, as they had relied largely on British charts during the Civil War before Wyman’s appointment. Under his leadership, a systematic programme of surveying was established, a legacy which continues today in the form of the US’s oceanographic research. The naval ship USNS Wyman, launched in 1969, was named in his honour. The U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office was set up in 1866, with the express intention of moving away from the navy’s reliance on British Admiralty charts. The first bodies of water surveyed by the new department were the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Unlike the British Admiralty charts, U.S. charts were not licensed for sale to the general public making them considerably rarer.

Madagascar and the Sighting of Venus

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; ALDRICH, Commander Pelham St Augustine and Tullear Bays... 1882 Publication London, The Admiralty, 18th Aug 1883. Description Engraved chart, manuscript annotations, some significant staining. Dimensions 520 by 385mm (20.5 by 15.25 inches).

£200

Detailed chart of Saint-Augustin’s Bay on the south west coast of Madagascar. Taidrich’s survey would supersede the work carried out by Captain William Fitzwilliam Owen, who had surveyed the east African coast and Madagascar in the 1820s. Admiral Pelham Aldrich (1844-1930) was a Royal Navy officer and explorer, who became Admiral Superintendent of Portsmouth Docks. Aldrich joined the Royal Navy in 1859, and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1872, as first lieutenant, he served aboard HMS Callenger, whose famous voyage (1872-1876), made numerous scientific discoveries, and laid the foundations for the discipline of oceanography. In 1875, he joined the sloop Alert to take part in the British Arctic Expedition. In 1876, he was promoted to Commander and took charge of both HMS Sylvia and HMS Fawn, surveying parts of the Mediterrean, China, and Madagascar. It was whilst on Madagascar that Aldrich, along with the scientist Stephen Joseph Perry observed the transit of Venus.

Southern Madagascar

HYDRPOGRAPHIC OFFICE; OWEN, Captain W[illiam] F[itzwilliam] Cape St. Mary to C. St. Vincent & Matatane. Publication London, Admiralty, 20th Nov. 1873. Corrections Jan. 1880. Description Engraved chart, tear to bottom margin, loss to bottom margin, affecting image, minor staining. Dimensions 675 by 1005mm. (26.5 by 39.5 inches).

£300

Detailed British Admiralty chart of southern Madagascar. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked. Britain at the beginning of the nineteenth century was beginning to look for an expansion of her trade along the east coast of Africa; in 1821 preparations were made at the Admiralty for an expedition to survey the African coast. The work was entrusted to Captain William Fitzwilliam Owen (1774-1857), and between 1822 and 1826, Owen surveyed much of the west, and east coasts of Africa, including Madagascar, the south coast of Arabia, and the River Gambia. Owen’s work was not without incident, whilst in Muscat, he invited the Sultan on board the ships, but was therefore forced to temporarily tow away the huge number of pigs on board to avoid offending the Muslim Sultan; it is reported that the whole cove echoed with their squeals. These incidences aside, it was these surveys together with his work in the India Ocean (represented in the pilots here by: Nos. 598; 721; 594; and 595) that earnt him the respect of the Admiralty, who presented him with a silver punch-bowl in the form of a globe of the earth surmounted by Neptune and supported by figures representing the four continents.

South Africa

IMRAY, James F[rederick] The Coast of the Cape Colony Complied chiefly from the Surveys made by order of the British Government. [and] [Chart of the east coast of South Africa to Natal] Publication London, James Imray and Son, 89 and 102 Minories, 1887. Corrected to 1888. Description Engraved chart, on three sheets, joined, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, chartseller’s stamp bottomleft, backed on blue paper, small tears to margins, minor staining. Dimensions 870 by 1960mm. (34.25 by 77.25 inches).

£1200

Large chart of the South Africa published by the leading commercial chart maker of his day James Imray. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart bears numerous insets:Table Bay; Knysna harbour; Mossel Bay; Danger Point & Dyer Island; Cape Agulhas; Plettenberg Bay; Great Fish River; False Bay; Simons Bay; Table Bay breakwater docks; Kowie River; Bufallo River; Bird Islands; Algoa Bay; Port Natal; and Aliwal Shoal. To the right of the title Imray has added a plea: “The publisher’s respectfully request communications that may tend to the improvement of this or any other of their works”. This, together with the stamp stating the chart has been updated to 1888, was a somewhat forlorn attempt to keep up with and compete, with the more accurate Admiralty charts, which by the late nineteenth century, had begun to take more and more of Imray’s business.

Buffalo River, South Africa

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; ARCHDEACON, Staff Commander W[illiam] E[dwin] Buffalo River. Publication London, Admiralty, Aug. 12th 1869. Large corrections June 1889. July 1898, Jan. 1901. Description Engraved chart, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, chartseller’s stamp top-right, minor staining. Dimensions 685 by 525mm. (27 by 20.75 inches).

£100

Detailed British Admiralty chart Buffalo River, South Africa. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked. Staff-Captain William Edwin Archeacon (1839-1893), began his career in the navy during the Crimean War, and saw active service against the Russian’s in the Baltic and Black Sea. In 1857, he was transferred to the surveying branch of the Admiralty. Seeing service first in North America, and South Africa. In 1872 to 1882 he was placed in charge of the Admiralty’s survey of the west coast of Australia, updating the surveys of Vancouver; Flinder’s; and Denham in HMS Herald (1858). In 1866, he was placed in charge of the Cape of Good Hope survey. He would later carry out surveys in western Australia and the west coast of England. The charts bears the stamp of the ship chandler H. H. Abrahamson, a shipping agent working in Bunbury, Western Australia, at the beginning of the twentieth century.

South Africa and Madagascar

UNITED STATES HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE Indian Ocean. South Western Sheet. Publication Washington D.C., Hydrographic Office, May 1881 and August 1884. Description Engraved chart, minor staining. Dimensions 900 by 890mm (35.5 by 35 inches).

£450

Rare U.S. Naval chart of South America and Madagascar. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked. The U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office was set up in 1866, with the express intention of moving away from the navy’s reliance on British Admiralty charts. The first bodies of water surveyed by the new department were the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Unlike the British Admiralty charts, U.S. charts were not licensed for sale to the general public making them considerably rarer.

“This Tedious Undertaking is Drawing to a Close”

VIDAL, Captain A[lexander] T[homas] E[meric]; et al Chart of the Canary Islands, with Madeira, Porto-Santo, &c. From the surveys of Captn. A.T.E. Vidal, R.N., &c. Publication London, R.H. Laurie, No. 53 Fleet Street, 1876. Description Engraved chart, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, backed on blue paper, minor loss to margin and image, skilfully repaired. Dimensions 1000 by 680mm. (39.25 by 26.75 inches).

£1500

The most accurate chart of the Canary Islands published in the nineteenth century. The charts marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. Above the main chart are insets and profiles of Madiera, Porto Santo, The Road of Funchal, the Roadstead of Santa-Cruz, and Great Salvage. Vice-Admiral Alexander Thomas (1752-1863) a talented surveyor was, in 1835, tasked with measuring the meridian arc length to the Cape Verde Islands. He ended up surveying much of the west coast of Africa, and the Canary Islands. On completion of the charting of the Canary Islands in 1838, the Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society could remark of the survey that: “This tedious undertaking is drawing to a close, and will then be of equal utility to the fair traders and the anti-slavery cruisers. It is fortunately in the hands of such a man as Captain Vidal, R.N., who has steadily devoted himself during a long period of ill-health, to complete this unpopular work, and to connect with it a minute examination of the Canary Islands”. Richard Holmes Laurie (1777-1858) was the last member of the great eighteenth century chart and map publishers Laurie and Whittle.

Eastern Archipelago the Gold Coast

IMRAY, James F[rederick] Coast of Africa Included Between Sierra Leone and Cape Lopez. Publication London, Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson, Ltd., 156, Minories, 1905. Description Engraved chart, on three sheets, joined, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, backed on blue paper, two large tears to left margin, minor tears to top and right margin, skilfully repaired. Dimensions 1080 by 1920mm. (42.5 by 75.5 inches).

£600

Bay; Edina & Grand Bassa; Tabou River; Monrovia Bay; Shoals of St Ann and the Coast in the vicinity of Sierra Leone. To the right of the title Imray has added a plea: “The publisher’s respectfully request communications that may tend to the improvement of this or any other of their works”. This was a somewhat forlorn attempt to keep up with and compete, with the more accurate Admiralty charts, which by the late nineteenth century, had begun to take more and more of Imray’s business.

The Celebes Sea

IMRAY, James F[rederick] East India Archipelago (Eastern Passages to China and Japan) Chart No.4. Publication London, James Imray & Son, 89 and 89a Minories, 1892. Corrected to 1894. Description Engraved chart, on two sheets, joined, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, chartseller’s stamp centreleft, backed on blue paper, minor staining. Dimensions 1270 by 1040mm. (50 by 41 inches).

£1000

Detailed chart of the Sea of Celebes, published by the leading chart seller of his day James Imray. The chart centres on the Celebes Sea, bordered by Borneo to the west, Sulawesi to the south, and Mindanao (the Philippines) to the north. and from north to south from the Red Sea to Kerguelen Island. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. Below the title is an inset chart of the Kudat harbour, together with an explanation, the letters P.D. on the chart signifying ‘position doubtful’ and ‘?’ ‘uncertain and doubtful’. Imray has also added a plea: “The publisher’s respectfully request communications that may tend to the improvement of this or any other of their works”. This together with blue stamp showing that the chart had been updated to 1894, was a somewhat forlorn attempt to keep up with and compete, with the more accurate Admiralty charts, which by the late nineteenth century had begun to take more and more of Imray’s business.

The Balabac Straits

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; REED, Staff Commander J[ohn] W[illiam] Balábac Strait And Channels between Borneo & Paláwan. Publication London, Admiralty, 1st Augt. 1870. Large corrections Sept. 1882. Description Engraved chart. Dimensions 1050 by 670mm (41.25 by 26.5 inches).

£350

Detailed British Admiralty chart of the Straits of Balabac, the stretch of water between Borneo and Palawan. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked. The survey was carried out by Staff Commander John William Reed, on board the Admiralty survey ship HMS Rifleman, who, in the 1860s, carried out numerous survey’s in the South China Sea, including the Straits of Singapore.

The South China Sea

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE China Sea - Southern Portion Western Sheet Compiled from the latest surveys, 1881. Publication London, Admiralty, 13th Nov.r 1881. Large corrections May 1886, Novr. 1894, Augt. 1896. Description Engraved chart, manuscript annotations, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, two tears to bottom margin, skilfully repaired, minor staining. Dimensions 1005 by 665mm (39.5 by 26.25 inches).

£150

Detailed British Admiralty chart of the part of the South China Sea, between Vietnam and Borneo. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked.

The Banda Sea, Indonesia

IMRAY, James F[rederick] East India Archipelago (Eastern Passages to China and Japan). (Chart No.2). Publication London, James Imray and Son, 89 and 89a Minories, 1894. Corrected to 1895. Description Engraved chart, on two sheets, joined, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, chartseller’s stamp bottomcentre, backed on blue paper, tears to top and bottom margin, skilfully repaired, minor staining. Dimensions 1040 by 1250mm. (41 by 49.25 inches).

£600

Large chart of the Banda Sea published by the leading commercial chart maker of his day James Imray. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. To the right of the title is an explanation and key: the letters ‘P.D.’ on the chart signifying ‘position doubtful’ and ‘?’ ‘uncertain and doubtful’. Imray has also added a plea: “The publisher’s respectfully request communications that may tend to the improvement of this or any other of their works”. This together with blue stamp showing that the chart had been updated to 1895, was a somewhat forlorn attempt to keep up with and compete, with the more accurate Admiralty charts, which by the late nineteenth century, had begun to take more and more of Imray’s business.

Karimata Strait

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE Carimata Strait. Publication London, Admiralty, 1st Aug. 1881. Large corrections June, 1883, Septr. 83, April 1885, July 1886. Description Engraved chart, lighthouse and beacon picked out in yellow and red, minor staining. Dimensions 1010 by 690mm (39.75 by 27.25 inches).

£250

Detailed British Admiralty chart of Karimata Strait, Southeast Asia. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked. The Karimata Strait, is a body of water that connects the south China sea to the Java Sea. The chart is principally based on Dutch surveys of the waters, carried out between 1880 and 1885. The Netherlands at the time was the major colonial power in the region, though the chart also mentions contributions from HMS surveying vessels Sylvia, Nassau, and Flying Fish.

The Bangka Strait

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE Banka Strait. Publication London, Admiralty, 4th June 1858. Large corrections Oct. 68, Nov.r 70, Feb 1885. Description Engraved chart, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, minor staining. Dimensions 1000 by 660mm. (39.25 by 26 inches).

£250

Detailed British Admiralty chart of the Bangka Strait, the body of water that separates Sumatra from the island of Bangka. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart is principally based on Dutch surveys of the waters. The Netherlands at the time was the major colonial power in the region, controlling much of modern day Indonesia. However, the chart mentions also the surveys of Staff Commander W. Stanton snd J. W. Reed in 1860 to 1861.

The Gaspar Strait

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE Gaspar Strait Chiefly from surveys published by the Netherlands Government to 1880. Publication London, Admiralty, 5th Mar. 1884. Small corrections [to 18]93. Description Engraved chart, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red. Dimensions 1015 by 665mm (40 by 26.25 inches).

£250

Detailed British Admiralty chart of the Gaspar Strait, the body of between the islands of Belitung and Bangka. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, magnetic variation, and coastal profiles, with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart is principally based on Dutch surveys of the waters, carried out up to 1880. The Netherlands at the time was the major colonial power in the region, controlling much of modern day Indonesia.

The Java Sea

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE Cape St. Mary to C. St. Vincent Western Approach - Part I. Including the Java Sea and the Southern Passages to China. Publication London, Admiralty, Novr. 11th 1867. Large corrections Jan. 1884. Octr. 1887. Feb. 1888. Description Engraved chart, manuscript annotations, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, tear to top margin, minor staining. Dimensions 1015 by 685mm (40 by 27 inches).

£200

Detailed British Admiralty chart of the Java Sea. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart, as stated in the title is based on British and Dutch Government surveys, the main colonial powers in the region at the end of the nineteenth century.

The Sunda Strait

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE Sunda Strait and Approaches From the Latest Batavian Government Surveys to 1886. Publication London, Admiralty, 18th July 1893. Small corrections II 94 V 95 VI 95. Description Engraved chart, manuscript annotations, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red. Dimensions 1020 by 690mm (40.25 by 27.25 inches).

£250

Detailed British Admiralty chart of the Sunda Straits, Southeast Asia. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart is principally based on Dutch surveys of the waters, carried out between 1886. The Netherlands at the time was the major colonial power in the region, controlling much of modern day Indonesia.

Philippines

IMRAY, James F[rederick] East India Archipelago (Eastern Passages to China and Japan). (Chart No.6). Publication London, James Imray and Son, 89 and 89a Minories, 1892. Corrected to 1894. Description Engraved chart, on two sheets, joined, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, chartseller’s stamp topright, backed on blue paper. Dimensions 1040 by 1280mm. (41 by 50.5 inches).

£1200

Large chart of thePhilippines published by the leading commercial chart maker of his day James Imray. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. To the right of the title Imray has added a plea: “The publisher’s respectfully request communications that may tend to the improvement of this or any other of their works”. This, together with the stamp stating the chart has been updated to 1894, was a somewhat forlorn attempt to keep up with and compete, with the more accurate Admiralty charts, which by the late nineteenth century, had begun to take more and more of Imray’s business.

Our Man in Siam

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; LOFTUS, Commander A[lfred] J[ohn] Koh Sichang Harbour. Publication London, Admiralty, 1st Nov. 1889. Small Correction to 1894. Description Engraved chart, lighthouse and beacon picked out in yellow and red, chartseller’s stamps top-left, one repaired tear to bottom margin, occasional black marks. Dimensions 690 by 505mm (27.25 by 20 inches).

£250

Detailed chart of the north half of Koh Sichang Island, Thailand. The chart shows not only considerable maritime information, including soundings, banks, rocks, and other hazards of the sea, but also much topographical information, such as heights of mountains, forests, plantations, houses, roads, and telegraph lines. The chart is the work of Captain Alfred John Loftus (1834-1899), merchant seaman and hydrographer to the King of Siam. As merchant seaman, he regularly commander ships plying their trade between England and the Far East. For several years he operated out of Singapore. In 1870, whilst sailing in the South China Seas, his ship was “captured and burnt by pirates on the coast of Hainin and I lost all - all I had in the world; I had not a dollar at my disposal.” Having survived the ordeal he managed to take command of steamship Viscaount Canning, which he sailed to Siam, and there entered into the the Siam Navy, as chief hydrographer, a position he would hold until 1891. In the post he was responsible for not only surveying the coasts and, but also the rivers, telegraph lines, and railways. The chart bears the stamp of the Hartwig & Co., Singapore, a publisher’s and stationers active at the end of the nineteenth century.

The Gulf of Thailand

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; RICHARDS, Master John Gulf of Siam Chiefly from the Survey of John Richard, Master Commanding H.M.S. Saracen, 1859. Publication London, Admiralty, 1st April 1881. Large corrections Nov. 89. Description Engraved chart, manuscript annotations, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, pasted overslip. Dimensions 1085 by 695mm. (42.75 by 27.25 inches).

£400

Detailed British Admiralty chart of the Gulf of Thailand The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart is principally based on the survey carried out by Mater John Richards, on board HMS Saracen in 1859. Saracen a brig sloop first launched in 1831, saw service as an anti slavery ship operating off the coast of west Africa between 1831 and 1839. In 1854, she was converted to a surveying vessel for use in southeast Asian waters.

The Gulf of Thailand

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; RICHARDS, Master John Gulf of Siam Sheet II. Koh Ta Kut to Cape Liant. Publication London, Admiralty, 10th Feby. 1860. Large corrections June 72, Sept. [18]80. Description Engraved chart, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, small tear to bottom margin, skilfully repaired. Dimensions 1020 by 690mm. (40.25 by 27.25 inches).

£250

Detailed British Admiralty chart of the Gulf of Thailand The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart is principally based on the survey carried out by Master John Richards, on board HMS Saracen in 1859. Saracen a brig sloop first launched in 1831, saw service as an anti slavery ship operating off the coast of west Africa between 1831 and 1839. In 1854, she was converted to a surveying vessel for use in southeast Asian waters.

The Gulf of Thailand

IMRAY, James F[rederick] East India Archipelago (Western Route to China. Chart No.3). Publication London, James Imray & Son, 89 and 89a Minories, 1892. Corrected to 1893. Description Engraved chart, on two sheets, joined, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, chartseller’s stamp topcentre, backed on blue paper. Dimensions 1260 by 1055mm. (49.5 by 41.5 inches).

£1500

Large chart of the Gulf of Thailand published by the leading commercial chart maker of his day James Imray. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. A key and remarks beow The chart bears numerous insets: Pulo Obi; Pulo Condore; Gulf of Bangkok; Chentabun River; Bangkok River; and Saigon. Imray has also added a plea: “The publisher’s respectfully request communications that may tend to the improvement of this or any other of their works”. This together with blue stamp showing that the chart had been updated to 1894, was a somewhat forlorn attempt to keep up with a compete, with the more accurate Admiralty charts, which by the late nineteenth century, had begun to take more and more of Imray’s business.

The West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico

IMRAY, James F[rederick] [Chart of the West Indies] [and] Caribbee Islands. Publication London, James Imray And Son, 89 Minories, and Tower Hill, 1886. Corrected to 1887. Description Engraved chart, on four sheets, joined, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, chartseller’s stamp topright, backed on blue paper, minor staining. Dimensions 1040 by 2520mm. (41 by 99.25 inches).

£2500

Large chart of the West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico published by the leading commercial chart maker of his day James Imray. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart bears insets of: The Old Bahama Channel; Galveston; the River Goazacoalcos; Vera Cruz; and Laguna de Terminos. Below the tile is an explanation and key: the letters ‘P.D.’ on the chart signifying ‘position doubtful’ and ‘?’ ‘uncertain and doubtful’. Imray has also added a plea: “The publisher’s respectfully request communications that may tend to the improvement of this or any other of their works”. This together with blue stamp showing that the chart had been updated to 1887, was a somewhat forlorn attempt to keep up with and compete, with the more accurate Admiralty charts, which by the late nineteenth century, had begun to take more and more of Imray’s business.

Haitian Ports

IMRAY, James F[rederick] Ports and Harbours in Haiti (Sheet Two). Publication London, James Imray and Son, 1901. Corrected to 1902. Description Engraved chart, manuscript annotations, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, chartseller’s stamp bottom-centre, backed on blue paper, minor loss to top margin, not affecting image, tear to right margin, repaired with stitches. Dimensions 715 by 1075mm. (28.25 by 42.25 inches).

£1500

Chart of the ports and harbours in Haiti. Detailed chart of Haitian ports and harbours at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. The largest of the chart is that of Cayes Bay. The city of Cayes had by the nineteenth century one of Haiti’s major ports, exporting its primary commodity, coffee. It’s relative isolation meant that it was shielded from the political mascinations and coups of the capital Port-au-Prince. Other charts include: Dame-Marie Bay, Irois Bay, Navassa, Caldera Bay, Jaquemel Harbour, Port-au-Prince Bay, Cayemites Bay &c., Monte Christi, and Cape Haiti Harbour. To the right of the title Imray has added a plea: “The publisher’s respectfully request communications that may tend to the improvement of this or any other of their works”. This was a somewhat forlorn attempt to keep up with and compete, with the more accurate Admiralty charts, which by the late nineteenth century, had begun to take more and more of Imray’s business. The chart bears the stamp of James Imray & Son, Norie, and Wilson, updated 1902.

The First U.S. Navy Survey of Haitian Ports

UNITED STATES HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE West Indies Ports on the North and West Coasts of Haiti from the most recent surveys. Publication Washington D.C., Hydrographic Office, Navy Department, April 1885. Corrected to May 15 1897. Description Four heliogravure chart on one chart sheet, manuscript annotation, stamp bottom-right. Dimensions 540 by 400mm (21.25 by 15.75 inches).

£500

Detailed chart of Haitian ports, by the United States Navy Hydrographic Office. The charts marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. The sheet consists of four charts: Bay of St Mark; Goave Bay; Port Paix; and Fond La Grange. To the lower right is a stamp, stating that the chart was updated to 1897. The U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office was set up in 1866, with the express intention of moving away from the navy’s reliance on British Admiralty charts. The first bodies of water surveyed by the new department were the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Unlike the British Admiralty charts, U.S. charts were not licensed for sale to the general public making them considerably rarer.

Ports of St Domingo

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE Plans of Ports in St. Domingo Chiefly from the Portulano de la America Setentrional. Publication [London], Hydrographic Office of the Admiralty, Septr. 12th 1855. Large corrections Novr. 1874. Dec. 1886, Dec. 1887, Nov. 1891. Small corrections [to 18]92. Description Engraved chart, manuscript annotations, minor staining. Dimensions 655 by 500mm. (25.75 by 19.75 inches). £250

Detailed British Admiralty chart of the ports of St Domingo. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked. The sheet contains 12 charts: Monte Christi and Manzanillo Bay; Cabarete anchorages; Chouchou and Salt River Bays; Moustique Bay; Port a L’Ecu; Approach to Sanchez; Caldera Bay; Tierra Baja Road; Fond la Grande; and Port Paix. Although the majority of charts produced by the Admiralty were carried out by British naval vessels, these charts were based on the Spanish ‘Portulano de la America Setentrional’.

The St Lawrence River

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; BAYFIELD, Captain [Henry Wolsey] Chart of the River St Lawrence from Bic Island to Quebec. Publication London, Hydrographical Office of the Admiralty, Dec 1st 1837. Cor[recte]d to 1848, 60, Apr. 1863. Description Engraved chart, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, minor staining. Dimensions 810 by 640mm (32 by 25.25 inches).

£200

Detailed British Admiralty chart of the St Lawrence River from Bic Island to Quebec. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, magnetic variation, lighthouses and beacons, with principal ports and rivers marked. Captain Henry Wolsey Bayfield (1795-1885) was appointed admiralty survey for North America, June of 1817. He surveyed Lake Superior, Lake Erie and Lake Huron, among many others. fter several years surveying the lakes in North America, he returned to England in the autumn of 1825, and completed several charts of the lakes. He was promoted commander in 1826, and the following year, he travelled to Quebec to complete surveys of the St Lawrence River. He would hold the position until his retirement in 1866.

Beware False Bermuda

ROBIQUET, [Aimé] Carte de la Côte des États-Unis Comprise entre la Nouvelle-Ecosse et la Floride. Publication Paris, Louis Antoine, Rue des Noyers, 70, 1861. Description Engraved chart with four insets, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow, chartseller’s label pasted bottom-right, tear to right margin, loss to top, left, and bottom margins. Dimensions 730 by 1020mm (28.75 by 40.25 inches).

£750

Rare chart of the North American east coast, with large inset maps of Florida, New York Harbour, Charleston, and Delaware Bay. Stretching from Georgia in the south to Nova Scotia in the north. Lighthouses are picked out in yellow, with a concentrated cluster around New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. A list of named beacons is provided, along with elevation above sea level and whether they are ‘fixed or floating’ lights. A key denotes sand, coral, mud, and “very grey” areas. Topographical details such as trees, cultivated fields, clustered outbuildings, and even dockyards are rendered to a fine degree. This chart was likely used for contemporary surveying, as pencilled annotations of corrected and added soundings can be seen particularly around New York and rhumb lines in the north-west. Not only is Bermuda included, but “false Bermuda” is indicated with a small cross. Aimé Robiquet was a French hydrographer operating in the midnineteenth century. His elephant folio ‘Atlas Hydrographique’ (1851) contained 44 charts of an unusually high quality. His separately published coastal charts are rare on the market.

Brazil

IMRAY, James F[rederick] Coast of Brazil Between Maranhao and Cape Frio. Publication London, James Imray and Son, 89 & 102 Minories, 1887. Description Engraved chart, on three sheets, joined, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, chartseller’s stamp centreleft, backed on blue paper, small tears to top and bottom margins, minor staining. Dimensions 1040 by 1880mm. (41 by 74 inches).

£950

Large chart of the coast of Brazil published by the leading commercial chart maker of his day James Imray. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart bears numerous insets: Cape Frio; Rio de Janeiro; Bahia; Pernambuco; Maranhao; Ceara; Coast in the Vicinity of Pernambuco; The Rocas; Fernando Noronha; Shaols off Cape St Roque; and the Abrolhos Channel. Below the title is an explanation and key, the letters P.D. on the chart signifying ‘position doubtful’ and ‘?’ ‘doubtful’. Imray has also added a plea: “The publisher’s respectfully request communications that may tend to the improvement of this or any other of their works”. This was a somewhat forlorn attempt to keep up with and compete, with the more accurate Admiralty charts, which by the late nineteenth century, had begun to take more and more of Imray’s business. The chart bears the stamp of Quintin and Moore ship chandlers, who had a shop on King’s Street, Maryport, Cumbria. Maryport was one of the principal ports in Cumbria during the nineteenth century, importing raw materials of the coal industry, and exporting coal.

Based on a French Survey

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; TARDY MONTRAVEL, Lieutenant [LouieFrancois-Marie de]. River Pará (The Eastern Branch of the R. Amazon). Publication London, The Admiralty, July 7th 1853. Large corrections Decr. 1884. Corrected to 1896. Description Engraved chart, manuscript annotations, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, minor staining. Dimensions 490 by 695mm (19.25 by 27.25 inches).

£150

Chart of the southern part of the Amazon Gulf. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. The surveying was carried out by the talented surveyor Lieutenant Louis-Francois-Marie de Tardy-Montravel (1811-1864) of the French Navy, whose survey of the northern coast of Brazilian in the 1840s became the benchmark for all subsequent surveys carried out in the nineteenth century. The British Admiralty first published this chart in 1853, some seven after Tardy Montravel completed his work. The present work has been updated to 1896. The inset shows the mouth of the River Guam in greater detail with the city of Para or Belém, to the right is a profile of the port.

Cape Frio to Monte Video

IMRAY, James F[rederick] East Coast of South America Included Between Cape Frio and Monte Video. Publication London, James Imray and Son, 89 & 102 Minories, 1887. Description Engraved chart, on two sheets, joined, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, backed on blue paper. Dimensions 1280 by 1040mm. (50.5 by 41 inches).

£950

Large chart of the south east coast of South America from Cape Fria to Monte Video, published by the leading chart maker of his day James Imray. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart bears insets of Santa Catharina Channel; Rio Grande; Santos Harbour; Rio de Janeiro; Sapetiba Bay; Imbituba; Monte Video; Paranagua; Castillo and Polonio; Paloma Harbour and Roads; and Santa Catharina Channel. To the bottom of the chart is a key: the letters ‘P.D.’ on the chart signifying ‘position doubtful’ and ‘?’ ‘uncertain and doubtful’. Imray has also added a plea: “The publisher’s respectfully request communications that may tend to the improvement of this or any other of their works”. This was a somewhat forlorn attempt to keep up with and compete, with the more accurate Admiralty charts, which by the late nineteenth century, had begun to take more and more of Imray’s business.

Paraíba do Sul

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; MOUCHEZ, Captain E[rnest] Parahyba River (Entrance). Publication London, Admiralty, 24th May 1890. Description Lithographed chart, lighthouse and beacon picked out in yellow and red, slight creasefold near centre. Dimensions 510 by 685mm (20 by 27 inches).

£150

Detailed British Admiralty chart of the mouth the river Paraiba do Sul, Brazil. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, magnetic variation, and coastal profiles, with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart is based on the survey by the French hydrographer Captain Ernest Mouchez (1821-1892). A large part of his surveying carrier was spent in China, Korea, and South America. In 1871, he was given the role of head of the Paris Observatory. The observatory had fallen into disrepair following the Franco-Prussian War, and Mouchez was partially successful in restoring its fortunes. Unfortunately, in 1887, he became heavily invested in a multi-national project to compile and index a photographic atlas of the heavens, the Carte du Ciel. The project consumed massive effort over several decades before it was rendered obsolete by modern astronomical methods.

Rio de la Plata, River Uruguay and Buenos Aires

IMRAY, James F[rederick] Rivers Parana and Uruguay as far as Corrientes and Paysandu. [together with] River Plate [East Sheet] Publication London, James Imray and Son, 89 & 102 Minories, 1887. Description Two engraved charts, on three sheets, joined, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, chartseller’s stamp bottom-left, backed on blue paper. Dimensions 865 by 1925mm. (34 by 75.75 inches).

£750

Large chart of the coast of the Rio de la Plata, and the River Uruguay, published by the leading commercial chart maker of his day James Imray. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart bears numerous insets: The River Parana; Colonia Roads; Buenos Aires Roads; Flores Island to Montevideo; Anchorage of Montevideo; Maldonado; Lobos Island; Flores Island. Below the title is an explanation and key, the letters P.D. on the chart signifying ‘position doubtful’ and ‘?’ ‘doubtful’. Imray has also added a plea: “The publisher’s respectfully request

communications that may tend to the improvement of this or any other of their works”. This was a somewhat forlorn attempt to keep up with and compete, with the more accurate Admiralty charts, which by the late nineteenth century, had begun to take more and more of Imray’s business. The chart bears the stamp of Quintin and Moore ship chandlers, who had a shop on King’s Street, Maryport, Cumbria. Maryport was one of the principal ports in Cumbria during the nineteenth century, importing raw materials of the coal industry, and exporting coal.

Sao Marcos Bay, Brazil

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; WHARTON, W.J.L., Rear Admiral San Marcos or Maranham Bay and Approaches. From a French Government Survey, 1867. Publication London, Admiralty, 15th April, 1895. Description Engraved chart, manuscript annotations, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red. Dimensions 660 by 1000mm (26 by 39.25 inches).

£350

Detailed British Admiralty chart of Sao Marco Bay, Brazil. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, lighthouses and beacons are highlighted in red and yellow, with principal ports and rivers marked. A course has been plotted in pencil. Although the title states that the chart was based on French Government Surveys, these were most likely made by the French hydrographer Captain Ernest Mouchez (1821-1892). A large part of his surveying carrier was spent in China, Korea, and South America. In 1871, he was given the role of head of the Paris Observatory. The observatory had fallen into disrepair following the Franco-Prussian War, and Mouchez was partially successful in restoring its fortunes. Unfortunately, in 1887, he became heavily invested in a multi-national project to compile and index a photographic atlas of the heavens, the Carte du Ciel. The project consumed massive effort over several decades before it was rendered obsolete by modern astronomical methods.

The South Atlantic

IMRAY, James F[rederick] [South Atlantic]. Publication London, James Imray and Son, 89 & 102 Minories, 1885. Corrected to 1887. Description Engraved chart, manuscript annotations, chartseller’s stamp bottom-left, backed on blue paper, minor staining. Dimensions 720 by 1070mm. (28.25 by 42.25 inches).

£550

Large chart of the South Atlantic published by the leading commercial chart maker of his day James Imray. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and the position of lighthouses (highlighted in red and yellow), with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart bears insets of: The Rocas; a sketch of the Martim Vaz islands; Trinidad Island; and Tristan da Cuhna. To the lower left is an explanation and key: the letters ‘P.D.’ on the chart signifying ‘position doubtful’ and ‘?’ ‘uncertain and doubtful’. Imray has also added a plea: “The publisher’s respectfully request communications that may tend to the improvement of this or any other of their works”. This together with blue stamp showing that the chart had been updated to 1887, was a somewhat forlorn attempt to keep up with and compete, with the more accurate Admiralty charts, which by the late nineteenth century, had begun to take more and more of Imray’s business.

Ports in the Arafura Sea, Australia

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; STANLEY, Captain O[wen] Sketches of Ports in the Arafura Sea. Publication London, Hydrographic Office of the Admiralty, March 29th 1843. Large corrections Aug. 76, Aug. 79, Oct. 1888. Description Engraved chart. Dimensions 500 by 670mm (19.75 by 26.5 inches).

£150

Detailed British Admiralty chart of the Sea of Arafura, the stretch of water between New Guinea, and North Australia. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked. The survey was carried out by the talented hydrographer Captain Owen Stanley, in 1843. HMS Britomart was his first major command, and his first time in Australian waters. He would later command HMS Rattlesnake, which led an important surveying and scientific mission to New Guinea, with the scientists Thomas Huxley and John MacGillivary.

The Great Barrier Reef

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; BLACKWOOD, Captain F[rancis] P[rice] et al Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reefs. Sheet 2. Publication London, Admiralty, 9th June 1886. Large corrections Mar. 1887, April 1888, June 1890, May 1893, Mar. 1896. Small corrections [to 19]09. Description Engraved chart, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red. Dimensions 980 by 690mm (38.5 by 27.25 inches).

£500

Detailed British Admiralty chart the Great Barrier Reef. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart names the numerous hydrographers who completed surveys of the Great Barrier Reef throughout the first half of the nineteenth century, including: Flinders, King, Blackwood, Stanley, Yule, and Denham.

The Great Barrier Reef

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; BLACKWOOD, Captain F[rancis] P[rice] et al Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reefs Shewing the Inner and Outer routes to Torres Strait. Publication London, Admiralty, Decr. 19th 1860. Large corrections Aug 1880. March 1887. August 1889. April 1890. Description Engraved chart, on two sheets, joined, manuscript annotations, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red. Dimensions 660 by 1325mm (26 by 52.25 inches).

£950

Moreton Bay

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE Moreton Bay - Southern Portion. Publication London, Admiralty, 1st Decr. 1869. Large corrections Jan. 1876, Feby. 1892. Description Engraved chart, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, chartseller’s stamp top-centre, a few small holes, some loss to bottom-right margin, not affecting image. Dimensions 690 by 1005mm (27.25 by 39.5 inches).

£500

Detailed British Admiralty chart of Moreton Bay, Australia. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, magnetic variation, and coastal profiles, with principal ports and rivers marked. The chart bears the stamp of the offical Admiralty chart depot in Sydney. The Admiralty employed agents, such as a J. D. Potter in England, to sell their charts around the world.

The Torres Strait

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; STANLEY, Captain O[wen] Torres Strait Western Channels. Publication London, Admiralty, 1st June 1855. Large corrections April, 1882, Jany. 1891, Feby. 1893. Description Engraved chart, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, few marginal tears, minor staining. Dimensions 1010 by 690mm (39.75 by 27.25 inches).

£300

Detailed British Admiralty chart the Torres Strait, Australia. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked. The survey was carried out by the talented hydrographer Captain Owen Stanley (1811-1850), in 1848. This was Stanley’s second command in Australian water. On HMS Rattlesnake, he led an important surveying and scientific mission to New Guinea, and the surrounding waters with the scientists Thomas Huxley and John MacGillivary. Alas, in 1849, he would be taken ill on the voyage, dying on his return to Sydney in 1850.

Torres Strait

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; BLACKWOOD, Captain F[rancis] P[rice] Torres Strait North East and East Entrances with the Outlying Reefs. Publication London, Admiralty, 20th Feby. 1856. Large corrections Aug. 72, Apr. 74, May 1893. Description Engraved chart, manuscript annotations, a few small holes, minor staining. Dimensions 665 by 990mm (26.25 by 39 inches).

£500

Detailed British Admiralty chart the Torres Strait, Australia. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked. Captain Francis Price Blackwood (1809-1854), a talented hydrographer, spent much of his naval career in Australian waters, aboard HMS Fly; on which he surveyed numerous islands off Australia’s east coast, including the Great Barrier Reef.

Torres Strait

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE Western Approaches to Torres Strait Compiled from the most recent surveys in the Hydrographic Office 1881. Publication London, Admiralty, 15th June 1881. Large corrections May 1882. Description Engraved chart, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, manuscript diagram to verso. Dimensions 500 by 690mm (19.75 by 27.25 inches).

£450

Detailed British Admiralty chart the western approaches to the Torres Strait, Australia. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked.

Coast of Western Australia

UNITED STATES NAVY HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE Indian Ocean. South Eastern Sheet. Publication Washington D.C., Hydrographic Office, May 1881. Cor[rections] by Notices to Jan. 1884 (1884-88). Description Engraved chart, manuscript annotations, creasing, minor spots and stains. Dimensions 905 by 880mm (35.75 by 34.75 inches).

£500

Rare U.S. Naval chart of south east portion of the India Ocean, from the Kerguelen Islands to western Australia. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked. The U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office was set up in 1866, with the express intention of moving away from the navy’s reliance on British Admiralty charts. The first bodies of water surveyed by the new department were the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Unlike the British Admiralty charts, U.S. charts were not licensed for sale to the general public making them considerably rarer.

Napier Port Hawkes Bay

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE Napier Port and Harbour. Publication London, Admiralty, 23rd May, 1896. Description Engraved chart, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red. Dimensions 505 by 675mm (20 by 26.5 inches).

£500

Detailed British Admiralty chart of Napier Port Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, and magnetic variation, with principal ports and rivers marked. Port Napier, on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island, would become one of New Zealand’s most prominent ports during the late nineteenth century.

Otago

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; WASHINGTON, [John] Capt[ai]n Ninety Miles Beach to Otago. Publication London, Admiralty, 5th April 1857. Large corrections March 65, Nov. 69. Feb 1886; April 1887. Small corrections [to 18]94. Description Engraved chart with three insets, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, manuscript pencilled annotations. Dimensions 975 by 645mm (38.5 by 25.5 inches).

£500

A sea chart of Otago in the south island of New Zealand. Including insets of Timary Harbour, Oamaru Harbour, and Waikouaiti Bay. Each depicts a plan of the surrounding buildings and notes to alert sailors to obstacles such as unreliable lighthouses, shallow water, or rocks. Various telegraph, signal, and whaling stations are highlighted in red and yellow. Using a compass, two large areas have been marked in pencil around Oamaru and Timaru harbours. Captain John Washington (1800-1863) joined the navy aged twelve, rising to the rank of Commander in 1833. One of the founding members of the Royal Geographical Society, he served as secretary until 1841. The same year marked his first surveying experience, stepping in to lead after a ship surveying the North Sea had gone down in a storm. Appointed as an official hydrographer in 1855, Washington did not begin commercial production of his charts until the Crimean War ended a year later.

Fiji

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; DENHAM, Captain H[enry]] M[angles] Fiji Islands. Publication London, Admiralty, 17th July 1879. Large corrections Sept. 1882, Decr. 1897. Description Engraved chart, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, small tear to left margin, loss to top margin, not affecting image, minor staining. Dimensions 1000 by 690mm (39.25 by 27.25 inches).

£950

Detailed British Admiralty chart of the islands of Fiji. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, magnetic variation, and coastal profiles, with principal ports and rivers marked. Captain Henry Mangles Denham (1800-1887) of HMS Herald - mentioned on the chart - spent from 1852 to 1860 charting the eastern seas of Australia and covering the Great Barrier Reef and waters as far as Fiji, he would also be responsible for the third survey of Sydney Harbour in 1857. Denham’s survey of Fiji and other Pacific waters were updated by Lieutenants W. U. Moore and G. E. Richards, between 1876 and 1872.

Samoa based on Charles Wilkes Survey

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE; WILKES, Commander Charles Samoa or Navigator Islands Publication London, Admiralty, Octr. 3rd 1866. Large corrections Feb. 1881, May 1885, Jany. 1889, May 1889, May 1894, Aug. 1898. Description Engraved chart, lighthouses and beacons picked out in yellow and red, minor loss to margins, skilfully repaired. Dimensions 690 by 1020mm (27.25 by 40.25 inches).

£500

Detailed British Admiralty chart of the islands of Samoa. The chart marks soundings, hazards of the sea, magnetic variation, and coastal profiles, with principal ports and rivers marked. The survey is based on the work of the American naval officer and explorer Charles Wilkes (1798-1877), who led the first United State Exploring Expedition, a scientifuc voyage - commonly known as the Wilkes Expedition - between 1838-1842. During the circumnavigation Wilkes visited numerous islands the Pacific including Samoa.

Nautical Charts