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BELLIN, Jacques Nicolas (1703-72)

Carte de L'Isle de Sainte Lucie

Paris: J.N. Bellin, 1763. Copper-engraved map, in excellent condition, stamped on upper-center with the stamp of the French royal maritime printing office: "De l'Imp. de Dep. de la Mar. à Versail". Sheet size: 24 1/8 x 32 1/2 inches.

A very elegant and detailed map of St. Lucia by one of the greatest French cartographers

This very fine map of St. Lucia surrounds the island in seas traversed by rhumb lines. The rugged topography of this, one of the most scenic islands of the Caribbean, is captured in great detail. Oriented with the east towards the top of the map, the island features two broad ranges of mountains, which were formed by extreme tectonic activity. In the centre of the island is a plain that features a road, "Chemin de la Longue Chasse ou de la Soufriere" that runs the length of the island. In the lower left of the map is the "Pointe du Gros Piton", the distinctive mountain formation that cascades into the sea, and that is today St. Lucia's most celebrated site. The various aspects of the coast are labelled in great detail, and many places near the sea are dotted with the cultivated fields of sugarcane and banana plantations. Three cartographic insets adorn the upper portions of the map, each depicting one of the island's best harbours. Intended for practical use by mariners, each harbour is heavily detailed with depth soundings and notations of hazards. The insets are "Plan du Port du Carenage" (site of St. Lucia's modern capital of Castries), "Plan du Cul de Sac Des Roseaux" and "Mouilliages du Grande Islet et du Choc". The map is embellished with a very fine title cartouche, bordered by transitional Rococo and Neoclassical motifs, and surmounted by the French royal arms.

St. Lucia was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1500, and named for St. Lucy of Syracuse. The French assumed auspices over the island in 1660, having signed a treaty with the indigenous Carib tribe. Over the next century and a half, the island went back and forth fourteen times between French and British sovereignty before the British assumed an enduring hegemony in 1814. The island became an independent member of the Commonwealth in 1979.

This map was part of the l'Hydrographie Française, a great sea atlas, published by Bellin in two volumes from 1755 to 1766. This was one of the finest works of the prolific Bellin, the "Hydrographer to the King", who was so highly regarded that the British (who were almost always at war with France) made him a member of their Royal Society.

Map Collector's Circle 81, (St. Lucia) 6-9, pl.1

#19542$2,500.00
 
 
BELLIN, Jacques Nicolas (1703-72)

Carte Réduite de L'Ocean Septentrional compris entre l'Asie et l'Amerique suivant les Decouvertes qui ont été faites par les Russes...

Paris: J. N. Bellin, 1766. Copper-engraved map, in very good condition apart from expert repairs to center fold. Sheet size: 25 1/3 x 37 1/8 inches.

A fascinating map of the North Pacific shown just before the voyages of Cook, by Bellin, the esteemed French Royal hydrographer, present here in the first state

This extremely interesting and finely engraved large map depicts the northern Pacific Ocean, and adjacent coasts during an early stage in its exploration, after the first wave of great Russian explorers but just before the momentous voyages of Captain James Cook. The map embraces a vast expanse from north of the 35th parallel, from Japan to California. The map shows the tracks of the Russian voyages of Bering and his deputy Aleksei Chirikov conducted from 1728-43 that first defined eastern Siberia and touched upon the American northwest. Save the imaginary bulge on the north coast of the Chuckchi Peninsula, the coasts of Siberia are extremely well-defined, attesting to Bering's enormous talent as a cartographer. Japan, whose rulers were known to be especially unwelcoming to foreign explorers, is not well understood, such that its large northernmost island, Hokkaido, does not appear at all on the map.

It is perhaps Bellin's depiction of North America that is most intriguing. It shows how Bering and Chirikov touched on various points of the Aleutians and sighted Mount St. Elias, the 18,000 ft. peak located near the top of the Alaska panhandle. The Pacific northwest immediately south of that point is entirely conjectural noting apocryphal discoveries such as the 'River of the King's' encountered by the Spanish Admiral de Fuente in 1640, and the Strait of Juan De Fuca, discovered in 1592. Although the latter body of water does exist, it was probably first encountered by Europeans in the 1770s. Bellin does, however, note Sir Francis Drake's actual discovery of 'Nouvelle Albion' (northern California) in 1578. The map optimistically shows a land route across the continent to the Pacific, decades before any such endeavor was embarked upon. The mapping of the heart of North America is also most curious, as it shows the Red River system, which in reality flows towards Hudson's Bay, as being connected to the Mississippi Basin. The map is elegantly traversed by rhumb lines and the composition is completed by an exquisite rococo title cartouche.

This map was part of the l'Hydrographie Française, a great sea atlas, published by Bellin in two volumes from 1755 to 1766. This was one of the finest works of the prolific Bellin, the "Hydrographer to the King", who was so highly regarded that the British (who were almost always at war with France) made him a member of their Royal Society.

Kershaw, Early Printed Maps of Canada IV:1125, plate 879; Wagner, Cartography of the Northwest Coast of America, 610

#19716$2,750.00
 
 
[BELLIN, Jacques Nicolas (1703-1772)]

La Nouvelle France oú Canada

[Paris: J.N. Bellin, 1764]. Copper-engraved map, with period hand colouring in outline, early manuscript addition of an ink hachured line labelled "Latitude de Paris." . Sheet size: 12 3/8 x 17 1/2 inches.

An attractive map of eastern Canada by the French royal hydrographer.

This attractive map of Canada depicts the region from the western corner of Lake Superior to the Grand Banks, from Hudson's Bay and Labrador in the north, to Pennsylvania in the south. The map was published in volume I of Bellin's Le Petit Atlas Maritime (Paris: 1764).

Phillips, A List of Maps of America, p. 112; Kershaw, Early Printed Maps of CanadaII:374; McCorkle New England in Early Printed Maps 764.2

#25697$450.00
 
 
British Hydrographic Office

Albemarle Sound to Cape Fear

London: Published by the Admiralty, 1886. Engraving. Printed on wove paper. In excellent condition with the exception of some expertly mended tears along the edges of the sheet. Image size: 25 1/4 x 38 1/2 inches. Sheet size: 27 1/4 x 40 inches.

A superb admiralty chart of the North Carolina coast, produced by the British Hydrographic Office.

The British Hydrographic Office was founded in 1795 by George III, who appointed Alexander Dalrymple as the first Hydrographer to the Admiralty. He immediately set to work but it was not until 1800 that the first Admiralty chart was published of the waters around Quiberon Bay in Brittany. 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.

This large chart covers the Albemarle Sound to Cape Fear in North Carolina. Water depths and sand bars are all carefully recorded, as are the various lighthouses along the coastline. There are two inset maps of Hatteras Inlet and Ocracoke Inlet on the left edge of the sheet, as well as three compasses to the right. This is an important sea chart of this area and a wonderful example of the maps produced by the British Hydrographic Office.

#15994$2,500.00
 
 
British Hydrographic Office

Pemaquid Pt. to Fletchers Neck

London: Published by the Admiralty, 1866. Engraving. Printed on wove paper. In excellent condition. Two joined sheets. Image size: 37 1/2 x 39 1/2 inches. Sheet size: 38 3/4 x 40 inches.

An excellent admiralty chart of Casco Bay, Maine from Pemaquid Point to Fletcher's Neck, produced by the British Hydrographic Office.

The British Hydrographic Office was founded in 1795 by George III, who appointed Alexander Dalrymple as the first Hydrographer to the Admiralty. He immediately set to work but it was not until 1800 that the first Admiralty chart was published of the waters around Quiberon Bay in Brittany. 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 recorded 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.

This large chart of Casco Bay, Maine, covers the coastline from Pemaquid Point to Fletcher's Neck. Water depths and sand bars are all carefully recorded, as are the various lighthouses along the coastline, which are identified in colour. This is an important sea chart of this area and a wonderful example of the maps produced by the British Hydrographic Office.

#15995$2,500.00
 
 
British Hydrographic Office

Savannah River to Saint Helena Sound including Calibogue Sound, Port Royal and Broad River

London: Published by the Admiralty, May 1882. Engraving. Printed on wove paper. In excellent condition. Image size: 25 1/4 x 38 1/4 inches. Sheet size: 27 x 40 inches.

A fantastic Admiralty chart of the Savannah River to St. Helena Sound, produced by the British Hydrographic Office.

The British Hydrographic Office was founded in 1795 by George III, who appointed Alexander Dalrymple as the first Hydrographer to the Admiralty. He immediately set to work but it was not until 1800 that the first Admiralty chart was published of the waters around Quiberon Bay in Brittany. 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.

This large chart covers the Port Royal Sound including the Savannah River, the Calibogue Sound, and the Broad River. Water depths and sand bars are all carefully recorded, as are the various lighthouses along the coastline. This is an important sea chart of this area and a wonderful example of the maps produced by the British Hydrographic Office.

#15996$2,750.00
 
 
COOK, James (1728-1779); Joseph Bernard de CHABERT (1724-1805); and Charles Pierre Claret de FLEURIEU (1738-1810)

A Chart of the Banks of Newfoundland, Drawn from a Great Number of Hydrographical Surveys, Chiefly from those of Chabert, Cook and Fleuieu, Corrected and Ascertained by Astronomical Observations

London: "Printed for & sold by Robt. Sayer & Jno. Bennett", 25 March 1775. Engraved map. Table of astronomical observations. Tracks of Chabert and Fleurieu identified.

A fine chart of the Grand Banks, principally after the survey by Captain James Cook.

This fine chart of the Grand Banks, most of Newfoundland and the entrance to the Gulf of St. Laurence was published in the first part of the North American Pilot, the most thorough and detailed mapping of the Canadian territory ceded to Great Britain at the end of the French and Indian war. Following the war, surveys of the region were immediately ordered, as the waterways were deemed of vital economic importance to the inland fur trade. Among those selected for the task was James Cook.

"On 19 April 1763 James Cook, Master R.N.. was ordered by the Admiralty to proceed to Newfoundland 'in order to your taking a survey of the Parts of the Coasts and Harbours of that Island'" (Tooley & Skelton, p.177). His appointment would have been based, in no small part, on the glowing endorsement of his commanding officer, who had written to the Admiralty in December 1762 "that from my experience of Mr. Cook's genius and capacity, I think him well fitted for the work he has undertaken, and for greater undertakings of the same kind."

Cook started by surveying the northwest stretch of coastline in 1763 and 1764, then in 1765 and 1766 the south coast between Cape Ray and the Burin Peninsula, and in 1767 the west coast. Cook's work in the region allowed him to master the art of practical surveying and navigation, bringing his name to the attention of the Admiralty and Royal Society at a crucial moment in his career. Summoned to depart on what would prove to be the first of his three great voyages to the Pacific, the survey of Newfoundland and southern Labrador was finished by Michael Lane between 1768 and 1773.

"The charting of Newfoundland and southern Labrador by Cook, in the years 1763-7, and by his successor Michael Lane, in 1768-73, was unequalled, for thoroughness and method, by any previous hydrographic work by Englishmen; and it produced the first charts of this extensive and difficult coastline that could (in the words of a later hydrographer) 'with any degree of safety be trusted by the seaman'" (Skelton & Tooley). For Cook, his accomplishment led directly to his being commissioned to the Endeavor, launching his reputation as the greatest maritime explorer of his age, and perhaps of all time.

Cf. Skelton & Tooley, "The Marine Surveys of James Cook in North America" in Tooley, The Mapping of America; not in Kershaw, Early Printed Maps of Canada.

#25613$1,000.00
 
 
COOK, James (1728-1779, surveyor). - Robert SAYER & John BENNETT (publishers)

A Chart of the Straights of Bellisle with part of the coast of Newfoundland and Labradore [sic.] from actual surveys published by Permission of the ... Admiralty surveyed by James Cook 1766 and Michael Lane 1769

London: Robert Sayer & John Bennett, 10 May 1770 [but printed 1775]. Copper engraving on two joined sheets. Good condition. Sheet size: 25 x 45 1/2 inches (joined).

A spectacular chart from the survey that launched the career of Captain James Cook.

This fine map of Newfoundland and Labrador appeared in the first part of the North American Pilot, the most thorough and detailed mapping of the Canadian territory ceded to Great Britain at the end of the French and Indian war. Following the war, surveys of the region were immediately ordered, as the waterways were deemed of vital economic importance to the inland fur trade. Selected for the task were James Cook and Michael Lane.

"On 19 April 1763 James Cook, Master R.N.. was ordered by the Admiralty to proceed to Newfoundland 'in order to your taking a survey of the Parts of the Coasts and Harbours of that Island'" (Tooley & Skelton, p.177). His appointment would have been based, in no small part, on the glowing endorsement of his commanding officer, who had written to the Admiralty in December 1762 "that from my experience of Mr. Cook's genius and capacity, I think him well fitted for the work he has undertaken, and for greater undertakings of the same kind."

Cook started by surveying the northwest stretch of coastline in 1763 and 1764, then in 1765 and 1766 the south coast between Cape Ray and the Burin Peninsula, and in 1767 the west coast. Cook's work in the region allowed him to master the art of practical surveying and navigation, bringing his name to the attention of the Admiralty and Royal Society at a crucial moment in his career. Summoned to depart on what would prove to be the first of his three great voyages to the Pacific, the survey of Newfoundland and southern Labrador was finished by Michael Lane between 1768 and 1773. Their charts were first published in 1769 (under the title A Collection of Charts, but containing only 10 maps); in 1775, they were republished with additions by Jefferys within the first part of the North American Pilot.

"The charting of Newfoundland and southern Labrador by Cook, in the years 1763-7, and by his successor Michael Lane, in 1768-73, was unequalled, for thoroughness and method, by any previous hydrographic work by Englishmen; and it produced the first charts of this extensive and difficult coastline that could (in the words of a later hydrographer) 'with any degree of safety be trusted by the seaman'" (Skelton & Tooley). For Cook, his accomplishment led directly to his being commissioned to the Endeavor, launching his reputation as the greatest maritime explorer of his age, and perhaps of all time.

Skelton & Tooley, "The Marine Surveys of James Cook in North America" 13.XVII in Tooley, The Mapping of America.

#24781$8,500.00
 
 
COOK, James (1728-1779, surveyor)

A Chart of the West Coast of Newfoundland: surveyed by order of Commodore Palliser, Governor of Newfoundland, Labradore [sic] &c. &c.

London: Published by Permission ... by James Cook, printed for R. Sayer & J. Bennett, 10 May 1770 [but printed 1775]. Copper engraving on three joined sheets. Good condition. Sheet size: 21 5/8 x 69 1/2 inches (joined).

A spectacular chart from the survey that launched the career of Captain James Cook.

This fine and large map of Newfoundland appeared in the first part of the North American Pilot, the most thorough and detailed mapping of the Canadian territory ceded to Great Britain at the end of the French and Indian war. Following the war, surveys of the region were immediately ordered, as the waterways were deemed of vital economic importance to the inland fur trade. Selected for the task were James Cook and Michael Lane.

"On 19 April 1763 James Cook, Master R.N.. was ordered by the Admiralty to proceed to Newfoundland 'in order to your taking a survey of the Parts of the Coasts and Harbours of that Island'" (Tooley & Skelton, p.177). His appointment would have been based, in no small part, on the glowing endorsement of his commanding officer, who had written to the Admiralty in December 1762 "that from my experience of Mr. Cook's genius and capacity, I think him well fitted for the work he has undertaken, and for greater undertakings of the same kind."

Cook started by surveying the northwest stretch of coastline in 1763 and 1764, then in 1765 and 1766 the south coast between Cape Ray and the Burin Peninsula, and in 1767 the west coast. Cook's work in the region allowed him to master the art of practical surveying and navigation, bringing his name to the attention of the Admiralty and Royal Society at a crucial moment in his career. Summoned to depart on what would prove to be the first of his three great voyages to the Pacific, the survey of Newfoundland and southern Labrador was finished by Michael Lane between 1768 and 1773. Their charts were first published in 1769 (under the title A Collection of Charts, but containing only 10 maps); in 1775, they were republished with additions by Jefferys within the first part of the North American Pilot.

"The charting of Newfoundland and southern Labrador by Cook, in the years 1763-7, and by his successor Michael Lane, in 1768-73, was unequalled, for thoroughness and method, by any previous hydrographic work by Englishmen; and it produced the first charts of this extensive and difficult coastline that could (in the words of a later hydrographer) 'with any degree of safety be trusted by the seaman'" (Skelton & Tooley). For Cook, his accomplishment led directly to his being commissioned to the Endeavor, launching his reputation as the greatest maritime explorer of his age, and perhaps of all time.

Skelton & Tooley, "The Marine Surveys of James Cook in North America" 13.XVI in Tooley, The Mapping of America

#24782$10,000.00
 
 
[COOK, James (1728-1779)]. - Robert SAYER & John BENNETT (publishers)

A Draught of the Gut of Canso Between Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island, Surveyed by the King's Ships in 1761. / A Plan of Port Dauphin, on the Eastern Side of Cape Breton Island, Surveyed in 1743. / A plan of Murgain or Cow Bay, on the Eastern Side of Cape Breton Island, Surveyed in August 1760. [published in: The North-American Pilot for Newfoundland, Labradore, the Gulf and River St.Laurence: being a collection of sixty accurate charts and plans, drawn from original surveys: taken by James Cook and Michael Lane, Surveyors, and Joseph Gilbert, and other officers in the King's service] [X]

[X]. London: Robert Sayer & John Bennett, 25 March 1775. Copper engraving on a single page (approx. plate area: 14 x 21 inches). Good condition, old vertical fold. Sheet size: 14 1/2 x 21 3/4 inches.

A spectacular chart from the survey which laid the foundation upon which Captain Cook's reputation as a surveyor and navigator rested.

At the conclusion of the French and Indian War, the British needed accurate charts of the territories that had been awarded to them in the Treaty of Paris. The areas that were of particular interest to the Admiralty included Labrador and Newfoundland.

"On 19 April 1763 James Cook, Master R.N.. was ordered by the Admiralty to proceed to Newfoundland 'in order to your taking a survey of the Parts of the Coasts and Harbours of that Island'" (Tooley & Skelton, in Tooley's The Mapping of America p.177). His appointment would have been based, in no small part, on the glowing endorsment of his commanding officer, who had written to the Admiralty in December 1762 "that from my experience of Mr. Cook's genius and capacity, I think him well fitted for the work he has undertaken, and for greater undertakings of the same kind".

"The charting of Newfoundland and southern Labrador by Cook... and by his successor Michael Lane ... was unequalled, for thoroughness and method, by any previous hydrographic work by Englishmen [and also allowed Cook to master the art of practical surveying and navigation, in a way that brought him to the attention of the Admiralty and Royal Society at a crucial moment. More immediately.] it produced the first charts of this extensive and difficult coastline that could (in the words of a later hydrographer) 'with any degree of safety be trusted by the seaman'" (Tooley & Skelton op. cit.).

Cook started by surveying the northwest stretch of coastline in 1763 and 1764, then in 1765 and 1766 the south coast between Cape Ray and the Burin Peninsula, and in 1767 the west coast. His work was interrupted by what was to prove to be the first of his three great voyages to the Pacific, and the work on Newfoundland and southern Labrador was finished by Michael Lane between 1768 and 1773. Thomas Jefferys used the charts by Cook and others to form the "Collection of Charts of 1769-70, a prototype ... for the celebrated North-American Pilot which was to be published in five English editions from 1775 to 1806" (Tooley & Skelton op,cit.). The present example is from Sayer and Bennett's 1775 edition (Tooley & Skelton's # 13).

Cf. Sabin, Dictionary of Books Relating to America 35966; Skelton & Tooley, "The Marine Surveys of James Cook in North America" 13.X in Tooley, The Mapping of America.

#24772$2,250.00
 
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