Striking chart of the North Sea from an English milestone atlas

Description

This splendid sea chart of the southern North Sea was created by Captain Greenvile Collins, who is considered to have been one of the best English hydrographers. It derives from “Great Britain's coasting-pilot”, which was an atlas resulting from Collins’ pioneering effort to make a complete survey of the coasts of Great Britain, by appointment by the Admiralty. The atlas was first published in 1693, with many editions following over the next decades.

The chart covers the area from East Anglia and Kent in the west to Flanders, Holland, and Frisia in the east, also including the Strait of Dover. Similar to portolan charts, geographical detail is concentrated along the coastlines, with many locations named.

Navigational elements include rhumb lines, soundings, and an indication of shoals.

The chart features a centrally positioned compass rose.

There is a highly decorative rococo-style cartouche at bottom right, containing a dedication to “the Honourable Sr. John Ashby Kt: Admiral of the Blew”. It is possible that “Blew” is referring to “Blue”, considering that Sir Ashby, an officer of the Royal Navy, rose to the rank of Admiral of the Blue [Squadron], before dying in the very same year the present chart was published for the first time.

A distance scale is shown beneath the cartouche.

“Great Britain's coasting-pilot” was first printed by Freeman Collins, who was Greenvile’s cousin, and sold by Richard Mount.

A beautiful sea chart filled with nautical detail.

Publication

Great Britain's coasting-pilot

Condition

Very good.

A clear impression on a strong sheet of paper. Issued folding, now flattened. Beautiful colouring (mostly in outline), including to cartouche. Very light soiling, mostly contained to margins. On verso, professional repair to a few minor marginal tears.

Item #: 02666

US $700.00

Status: On Hold

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