West Indies. [Porto Rico and the Virgin Islands].

Publication date: 1888

Seller: Geographicus Rare Antique Maps, Brooklyn, NY, U.S.A.Geographicus Rare Antique Maps

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Association member: ABAAESAILAB

Condition: Used

US$ 2,016.00

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Item description from seller

Very good. Some creasing. Repaired tears, and minor stains - indicative of maritime use. Laid on linen. Size 34 x 51 Inches. A rare 1888 Charles Wilson nautical chart or maritime map of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. This is the largest and finest specific map of Puerto Rico we have yet encountered. A Closer Look The chart covers the island in detail, offering both nautical and inland content, including topography, rivers, and political divisions. The focus is the waters around the Virgin Islands between Puerto Rico and Anegada, where treacherous reefs abound. The map offers hundreds of soundings in fathoms as well as shading to indicate dangerous shoals and banks. Ten inset maps provide detailed harbor plans, including San Juan, Mayagüez, Guánica, Mona Island, Sombrero Island, Road Harbour, Gorda Sound, the southeast end of Culebra, Ponce, Christiansted, and Saint Thomas. Blueback Charts Blueback nautical charts began appearing in London in the late 18th century. Bluebacks, as they came to be called, were privately published large-format nautical charts known for their distinctive blue paper backing. The backing, a commonly available blue manila paper traditionally used by publishers to wrap unbound pamphlets, was adopted as a practical way to reinforce the low-quality paper used by private chart publishers in an effort to cut costs. That being said, not all blueback charts are literally backed with blue paper. The earliest known blueback charts include a 1760 chart issued by Mount and Page and a 1787 chart issued by Robert Sayer. The tradition took off in the early 19th century, when British publishers like John Hamilton Moore, Robert Blachford, James Imray, William Heather, John William Norie, Charles Wilson, David Steel, R. H. Laurie, and John Hobbs, among others, rose to dominate the chart trade. Bluebacks became so popular that the convention was embraced by chartmakers outside of England, including Americans Edmund March Blunt and George Eldridge, as well as Scandinavian, French, German, Russian, and Spanish chartmakers. Blueback charts remained popular until the late 19th century, when government-subsidized organizations, such as the British Admiralty Hydrographic Office and the United States Coast Survey, began issuing their own superior charts on high-quality paper that did not require reinforcement. Publication History and Census This map was first issued in the 1870s. It bears a striking resemblance to a similar chart issued by Imray. This map is rare, and we are aware of no other examples.…

Seller Inventory # PuertoRicoVirginIslands-noriewilson-1888

Bibliographic details

Title
West Indies. [Porto Rico and the Virgin Islands].
Author
1888 Wilson Nautical Chart or Map of Porto Rico and the Virgin Islands
Publication year
1888
Seller catalogs
WEST-INDIES-CARIBBEAN

Geographicus Rare Antique Maps

Brooklyn, NY, U.S.A.

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AbeBooks seller since November 21, 2024

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Store description

Geographicus Rare Antique Maps was founded in New York, New York, by Kevin James Brown in 1999. We are specialist antiquarians dealing in historic maps from all over the world and in all price ranges. Our enthusiasm, passion, and devotion to scholarship is expressed in our meticulously researched descriptions, among the most detailed and comprehensive available anywhere, for each and every rare map that passes over our desk. This same devotion guides the relationships of honesty and trust we have fostered with our clients, whether through purchasing or selling a rare map, getting an appraisal, or simply calling to discuss antique maps in general. We are happy to assist you no matter whether you are an interior decorator, an institution, an experienced collector, or are just looking for a single antique map. Geographicus is a member of the ABAA (Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America), the ILAB (International League of Antiquarian Booksellers), the New York Map Society, the Washington Map Society, the IMCOS, and the Society for the History of Discoveries. While primarily an internet-based company, we are happy to meet with clients to show our antique maps by appointment at our New York City location.…

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MAPS

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Members of these associations are committed to maintaining the highest standards. They vouch for the authenticity of all items offered for sale. They provide expert and detailed descriptions, disclose all significant defects and/or restorations, provide clear and accurate pricing, and operate with fairness and honesty during the purchase experience.