The Isle of Man

The Isle of Man - To the Hon.ble Iohn Lowther, Bar.t One of the Commissiners for Executing the Office of Lord High Admirall of England. (1781) Large unusual copper engraving showing a 1781 edition of the Greenvile Collins's sea chart of the Isle of Man and its surrounding coasts (England, Wales, and Scotland), north-oriented toward right side. The Island of Man is centrally located on the map, with contemporary details of the depths of the sea and sandbanks. Below Liverpool and the Mersey River. A large central compass rose dominates the Irish Sea, with course lines (rhumbs) radiating toward the main ports. A decorative baroque-style cartouche is located at the bottom right, while coastal profiles, essential for the mariners to distinguish land from sea, are located at the bottom left. Anglesey (Wales) is clearly visible on the left, Lancashire and Cumberland below, and the coast of Scotland on the right. Drawn by Captain Greenvile Collins, Hydrographer to King Charles II. This nautical chart features coastal soundings, anchorages, sandbanks, and a decorative cartouche dedicating the map to Capt. William Wright. The coastlines are highlighted with hand coloring, a compass rose radiates rhumb lines, and sailing ships animate the waters. Mapmaker – Captain Greenvile Collins (1643–1694): Collins was a Royal Navy officer and hydrographer commissioned in 1676 by King Charles II to survey the British coastlines. His monumental work, the Great Britain’s Coasting Pilot (1693), became the first maritime atlas of England, Scotland, and Wales, setting a new standard for nautical cartography. This chart of Holy-Head is among the most important Welsh plates in the series. Source: Greenville Collins. Great-Britain's Coasting Pilot: being a new and exact survey of the sea-coast of England and Scotland, London: for Mount and Page, 1781. Good-very good condition. Light waterstains on the left and right, some small repairs in the central fold (not affecting the image), thick paper, clear print, wide margins. Central fold (as published). Image 44x56cm, sheet 53x61cm.…