Donald Heald Original Antique Books Prints and Maps


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	DES BARRES, J. F. W. (1721-1824, publisher) - Samuel HOLLAND (1728-1801) and George CALLENDAR (fl. around 1769), surveyors [Chart of the Harbour of Boston. Composed from different Surveys; but principally from that taken in 1769, by Mr. George Callendar, Late Master of His Majesty's Ship the Romney] London: Published by J.F.W. Des Barres in 'The Atlantic Neptune', August 5th, 1775. Copper-engraved and etched map, with aquatint, on two joined sheets. Printed on laid paper with `J Bates' watermark and `JB' countermark, in excellent condition. Sheet size: 30 1/4 x 42 5/8 inches. The finest and most celebrated sea chart of Boston Harbor ever produced, and a highly important Revolutionary War map depicting details relating to the Siege of Boston This is one the most important maps contained in Des Barres' The Atlantic Neptune, and one of the most significant large-scale maps of the Revolutionary War. It provides an invaluable record of Boston at the beginning of the war, covering the area from the environs of the city out into the open waters of Massachusetts Bay. A particularly striking feature is the use of boldly etched and subtly aquatinted details to capture the diverse topography of the region, including the numerous hills, islands, and river estuaries. It is important to remember that this was issued as a working sea-chart, and as such the cartographer has naturally concentrated on features such as depth soundings, indicated by detailed lines and based on surveys by Samuel Holland and George Callendar, and the navigable channels between the harbor's numerous shoals, which are delicately outlined in stipple-engraving. Holland's original manuscript map is today preserved in the British Hydrographic Library at Taunton, Somerset. The present map shows the city of Boston, with its streets carefully outlined, occupying a pear-shaped peninsula, a position that would soon prove precarious to its British defenders in the escalating conflict. This is the second state (of five) of Des Barres' chart, and is identical to the Henry Stevens Collection, variant 96D, in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. This state shows a number of notable changes when compared with the original, and was evidently altered to take particular account of the Siege of Boston (April 19, 1775 to March 17, 1776). Henry Stevens noted that this state depicted the addition of "Numerous Forts, Batteries, Redoubts, &c. [which] have been inserted in many places, notably on the Charles Town peninsula, and on the mainland between 'Willis Creek' and 'Mystic River,' also on the east and north side of 'Charles River' below 'Cambridge'...[also] to the south of 'Boston Neck' and 'Dorchester Neck'...[This state] is almost as rare as the first state. It is found in some copies of the earliest edition of the Neptune." The accuracy, scope and artistic virtue of Des Barres's Chart of the Harbour of Boston was apparent to his contemporaries and it became the main source map of the area for decades to come. Joseph Frederick Wallet Des Barres was born in Switzerland, where his Huguenot ancestors had fled following the repeal of the Edict of Nantes. He studied under the great mathematician Daniel Bernoulli at the University of Basel, before immigrating to Britain where he trained at the Royal Military College, Woolwich. Upon the outbreak of hostilities with France in 1756, he joined the British Royal American Regiment as a military engineer. He came to the attention of General James Wolfe, who appointed him to join his personal detail. During this period he also worked with the legendary future explorer James Cook on a monumental chart of the St. Lawrence River. Upon the conclusion of the Seven Years War, Britain's empire in North America was greatly expanded, and this required the creation of a master atlas featuring new and accurate sea charts for use by the Royal Navy. Des Barres was enlisted to survey the coastlines of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. With these extremely accurate surveys in hand, Des Barres returned to London in 1774, where the Royal Navy charged him with the Herculean task of producing the atlas. He was gradually forwarded the manuscripts of numerous advanced surveys conducted by British cartographers in the American Colonies, Jamaica and Cuba, of which the present map is based on the work of Samuel Holland, conducted in the 1760s. The result was The Atlantic Neptune, which became the most celebrated sea atlas of its era, containing the first systematic survey of the east coast of North America. Des Barres's synergy of great empirical accuracy with the peerless artistic virtue of his aquatint views, created a work that "has been described as the most splendid collection of charts, plates and views ever published" (National Maritime Museum Catalogue). The Neptune eventually consisted of four volumes and Des Barres's dedication to the project was so strong that often at his own expense he continually updated and added new charts and views to various editions up until 1784, producing over 250 charts and views, many appearing in several variations. All of these charts were immensely detailed, featuring both hydrographical and topographical information, such that in many cases they remained the most authoritative maps of the regions covered for several decades. Following the completion of The Neptune, Des Barres returned to Canada, where he remained for a further forty years, becoming a senior political figure and a wealthy land owner, living to the advanced age of 103. Cf. Guthorn,British Maps of the American Revolution, (referring to Holland's original manuscript) 59/3; Krieger & Cobb p.107 (1781 issue); Lingel, Atlantic Neptune N91.2; National Maritime Museum, Henry Stevens Collection K0713 HNS 96D; National Maritime Museum, Catalogue, 78-83; Nebenzahl Bibliography 3; Stevens, Bibliography of the Atlantic Neptune (unpublished) pp.211-216; Sellers & Van Ee, 945. #17671$35,000.00


	DES BARRES, J. F. W. (1721-1824) A Sketch of the Operations of His Majesty's Fleet and Army Under the Command of Vice Admiral the Rt. Hble. Lord Viscount Howe and Gen./Sr.Wm. Howe, K.B. in 1776. [London]: Des Barres, January 17, 1777. Copper-engraved and etched map with aquatint, hand-coloured, on watermarked: "Bates" laid paper. (Expertly repaired tears). Sheet size: 32 1/2 x 24 1/4 inches. A magnificent 1777 map of the sites of the Revolutionary War battles in and around New York City Des Barres' "Sketch" depicts the entire field of action for the latter half of 1776 in the battle for control of New York City and the Hudson River. The map, extending from Sandy Hook to Haverstraw, and Jamaica Bay to the western New Jersey establishes in detail the geographical setting for the war as it took place in this region, showing troop positions and strengths, fortifications and battle sites, as well as carefully delineated topographical details, roads, towns, even houses; shoals, banks, soundings in the bay and on the rivers; warships up and down the East River and Hudson. The sites of various embarkations and one of the first American Naval battles: the fire-ship attack on the Phoenix and the Rose are shown. The map also includes an inset of References, which is an index of all the major events from the initial invasion up to and including the battle at Fort Washington. After being forced to evacuate Boston, General Howe brought his army down to Staten Island for an assault on Brooklyn and New York. Howe and his brother, Admiral Richard Howe, built an armada, the largest British invading force in history to that point in time. The Continental Congress had determined that Washington should defend New York, despite the fact that he was outnumbered and his troops inexperienced. It is very much to Washington's credit that though he lost this sequence of battles, he did not lose the war. With the exception of the mistaken defense of Fort Washington, where 2,800 men surrendered, Washington kept his army intact to fight again. This was Howe's biggest chance as most of the Continental Army was at New York. The British invasion began on August 27, 1776 on the southwest end of Long Island. It was, from the British point of view, highly successful, by the end of August 29th, the Americans appeared to be trapped in Brooklyn Heights. However, the Americans quietly and famously escaped, fleeing up Manhattan, while the British slowly pursued them. Washington then left Manhattan for Westchester where he evaded the British until they met in White Plains. There Howe fought a tepid battle and was not able or unwilling to inflict the kind of blow that might have ended the war. After Washington withdrew, Howe returned to Manhattan to take Fort Washington. Cornwallis occupied Fort Lee on the opposite shore. Washington withdrew to New Jersey and then crossed the Delaware to Pennsylvania. These are the events that took place on the geographical setting handsomely portrayed in this fine map. "One of the greatest of the 'Atlantic Neptune' charts, with the best topographical information on the lower Hudson River valley, western Long Island and Staten Island," according to Nebenzahl. Considering the large, elephant folio scope of the map, it is incredibly precise and well-informed. As with Des Barres' greatly esteemed sea charts, this map brings to the study of military events his apparently inexhaustible capacity for detail. The Atlantic Neptune was the first British sea atlas of the North American colonies, and due to Des Barres' synergy of great empirical accuracy with unrivalled artistic virtue, it is considered to be one of the most important achievements of eighteenth-century cartography. Upon the conclusion of the Seven Year's War, Britain's empire in North America was greatly expanded, and this required the creation of a master atlas featuring new and accurate sea charts for use by the Royal Navy. Des Barres was charged with this Herculean task, publishing the first volume in London in 1775, which was soon followed by further volumes. Des Barres' monumental endeavor eventually featured over two-hundred charts and aquatint views, many being found in several states. This is the only known state of the map. This copy with the land elements with original wash colour, the water elements with later colour. Provenance: The Captain "Larry" Sneden house is located in legendary Snedens Landing on the western bank of the Hudson River. The house, an authentic Dutch colonial, was built at an historically important point both before and after the American Revolution. A ferry ran from Dobb's Ferry on the Westchester side to Snedens Landing from the early 1700's through the early1960's. Washington and his troops crossed here during the early days of the Revolution. Nebenzahl 99; Seller and van Ee 1057; National Maritime Museum 122 #21568$25,000.00


	DES BARRES, J.F.W. (1721-1824) - Captain George SPROULE A Sketch of the Environs of Charlestown in South Carolina [London: circa 1781]. Engraved map, uncoloured, on full sheet of laid paper. 18 lettered references. Image size (including text): 16 1/8 x 21 3/4 inches. Sheet size: 25 x 33 3/8 inches. Important American Revolution battle plan showing the Siege of Charleston. This fine chart is from "The Atlantic Neptune," one of the finest large scale sea atlases of the United States and Canadian Atlantic coastline ever produced. The maps in the atlas were produce over a seven-year period (1775-82), and are well known for their accurate portrayal of various sounds, bays, bars, harbors as well as navigational hazards. This atlas was used extensively by the Royal Navy during the American Revolution. This second state of Des Barres chart of the environs of Charleston is much enlarged from the first state. Whereas the first state was published before news of Clinton's surrender, this second state depicts the entire siege from the landing to the final British surrender. The author's name and date have been deleted and the references have all been re-engraved and considerably increased in number and length. The coast lines and banks of the rivers and inlets, formerly in outline, are now brought into relief by a narrow band of shading. Numerous additional military and naval positions are inserted, as are roads and soundings. Later issues of the chart were published on Whatman wove paper, but the present example is on a full sheet of Bates laid paper. Stevens 163b; Nebenzahl, Bibliography of Printed Battle Plans of the American Revolution 79; Stevens and Tree 13b #26674$27,500.00


	DES BARRES, J.F.W. (1721-1824, publisher) and George GAULD, surveyor A chart of the bay and harbour of Pensacola in the province of West Florida surveyed by George Gauld A.M. London: J.F.W. Des Barres in the 'Atlantic Neptune', August 1st 1780. Copper-engraved sea chart with aquatint, and details heightened in original colour. 21 1/2 x 29 7/8 inches. A very rare and highly important sea chart of Pensacola Harbor from 'The Atlantic Neptune,' the finest marine atlas of North America's east coast, produced during the Revolutionary War. This superbly drafted map features the magnificent natural harbor of Pensacola on the Florida panhandle. Des Barres based this rendering on manuscript survey maps by the British military engineer George Gauld. The town, with its fort and carefully laid out streets is featured in the left-centre of the map. Another settlement "Campbell Town" is located further up the harbour toward the entrance of the "Scambia" (Escambia) River. The borders of various land grants are demarcated, and the countryside is elegantly detailed with aquatint features, and coloured in a light brown-green wash. The chart precisely captures the features of the coast, showing how the harbor is protected by two sandy bars of land, the outer being Santa Rosa Island. The chart features a great deal of quantitative hydrographic information, and instructions to mariners are written in the lower right of the map, ensuring that it was by far the most accurate and comprehensive pilot for the harbor produced in the eighteenth-century. The present example is the second of two variants of this chart distinguished by the heightening of the townscapes in a brilliant red hue of original colour. It is important to note that the very year that this map was printed the region was caught up in the dramatic action of the Revolutionary War. The Spaniards, who had just joined the war on the American side, seized the British garrison at Fort Barrancas, and West Florida remained in their possession for the duration of the war. Joseph Frederick Wallet Des Barres was born in Switzerland, where his Huguenot ancestors had fled following the repeal of the Edict of Nantes. He studied under the great mathematician Daniel Bernoulli at the University of Basel, before immigrating to Britain where he trained at the Royal Military College, Woolwich. Upon the outbreak of hostilities with France in 1756, he joined the British Royal American Regiment as a military engineer. He came to the attention of General James Wolfe, who appointed him to join his personal detail. During this period he also worked with the legendary future explorer James Cook on a monumental chart of the St. Lawrence River. Upon the conclusion of the Seven Years War, Britain's empire in North America was greatly expanded, and this required the creation of a master atlas featuring new and accurate sea charts for use by the Royal Navy. Des Barres was enlisted to survey the coastlines of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. With these extremely accurate surveys in hand, Des Barres returned to London in 1774, where the Royal Navy charged him with the Herculean task of producing the atlas. He was gradually forwarded the manuscripts of numerous advanced surveys conducted by British cartographers in the American Colonies, Jamaica and Cuba. The result was The Atlantic Neptune, which became the most celebrated sea atlas of its era, containing the first systematic survey of the east coast of North America. Des Barres's synergy of great empirical accuracy with the peerless artistic virtue of his aquatint views, created a work that "has been described as the most splendid collection of charts, plates and views ever published" (National Maritime Museum Catalogue). The Neptune eventually consisted of four volumes and Des Barres's dedication to the project was so strong that often at his own expense he continually updated and added new charts and views to various editions up until 1784, producing over 250 charts and views, many appearing in several variations. All of these charts were immensely detailed, featuring both hydrographical and topographical information, such that in many cases they remained the most authoritative maps of the regions covered for several decades. Following the completion of The Neptune, Des Barres returned to Canada, where he remained for a further forty years, becoming a senior political figure and a wealthy land owner, living to the advanced age of 103. National Maritime Museum,Catalogue III, 144, p.384; National Maritime Museum, Henry Newton Stevens Collection, 173B; Sellers & Van Ee, Maps & Charts of North America & West Indies, 1663; Cf. Guthorn, British Maps of the American Revolution, 46 #19771$22,500.00


	DES BARRES, J.F.W. (1721-1824) Annapolis Royal... St. Mary's Bay London: Published by J.F.W. Des Barres in 'The Atlantic Neptune', 1 January, 1781. Etching with added hand-colour. On laid paper with `J Bates' watermark and `JB' countermark. Sheet size: 31 3/4 x 47 inches. A fine print from 'The Atlantic Neptune' which charts the Annapolis Royal, with a coastal view of Gulliver's Hole and a descriptive text. 'The Atlantic Neptune' was the first great marine atlas, and one of the greatest achievements of eighteenth century cartography. Published in England in 1774, it contained over 250 charts and views of the North American and Canadian coasts. The charts were intensely detailed and contained both hydrographical and topographical details. The Neptune was compiled and published for the Royal Navy by Joseph F. W. Des Barres, a Swiss cartographer who joined the Royal American Regiment as a surveyor. Des Barres fought in the French and Indian wars and was enlisted to survey the Canadian coastline. While his fellow surveyor, Samuel Holland charted the New England coast, Des Barres mapped the shoreline of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and the St. Lawrence River regions. In 1774, Des Barres returned to England where he compiled and published his monumental atlas; his dedication to the project was so strong that he published an updated version of the work every year until 1784. Des Barres' work was so superior to any other contemporary atlas, that the maps were used as the standard charts of the East coast for over 50 years. The Neptune remains one of the most important atlases ever printed, its views and maps chart the history of North America and allow us to glimpse a forgotten land long changed by the passage of time. This chart is an excellent eighteenth century record of the first settlement in Canada. In 1605, two years before the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, three years before the founding of Quebec, and fifteen years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, a small party of French explorers, led by Sieur de Monts, established Port Royal as the first settlement in Canada. The settlement was later renamed Annapolis Royal which is the name asigned to it in Des Barres chart. Spendlove, The Face of Early Canada, Chapter 4: "J.F.W. Des Barres and The Atlantic Neptune"; pp. 18-22; Debard, "The Family Origins of Joseph Fredericks Wallet DesBarres: A Riddle Finally Solved", Nova Scotia Historical Review, Vol 14, No. 2 (1994), p.15. #5598$3,500.00


	DES BARRES, J.F.W. (1721-1824) [Chart of the Coast of Georgia] [London: before 1780]. Aquatint and line engraving, period hand colouring. Sheet size: 33 x 25 1/4 inches. Very rare first state of Des Barres's chart of the coast of Georgia. This fine chart is from "The Atlantic Neptune," one of the finest large scale sea atlases of the United States and Canadian Atlantic coastline ever produced. The maps in the atlas were produce over a seven-year period (1775-82), and are well known for their accurate portrayal of various sounds, bays, bars, harbors as well as navigational hazards. This atlas was used extensively by the Royal Navy during the American Revolution. This is a detailed chart of the Georgia and upper Florida coastlines, covering an area between the mouth of the River May to John's Island. The towns of Savannah, Beaufort, Hardwick and Sunbury are shown and the coastal Parishes in Georgia are names. To the west is noted "Indian Boundary Line." This very rare first state is larger than the subsequent two states, without any detail added to the South Carolina coast and without the inset in the lower right corner added in or after 1780. Stevens 168a #26675$22,500.00


	DES BARRES, J.F.W. (1721-1824) [Chart of the Coast of Georgia and South Carolina] [London: 1780]. Aquatint and line engraving, period hand-colouring. Inset titled "Plan of the Siege of Savannah, And the Defeat of the French and Rebels on the 9th Oct. 1779, By His Majesty's Forces under the Command of Major General Augustin Prevost. Surveyed by John Wilson A. Engineer." (Minor age toning, minor chips at sheet edges). Sheet size: 31 1/4 x 23 7/8 inches. An important and quite scarce chart of the coast of Georgia and parts of South Carolina and Florida, as well as an important Revolutionary War battle plan. This fine chart is from "The Atlantic Neptune," one of the finest large scale sea atlases of the United States and Canadian Atlantic coastline ever produced. The maps in the atlas were produce over a seven-year period (1775-82), and are well known for their accurate portrayal of various sounds, bays, bars, harbors as well as navigational hazards. This atlas was used extensively by the Royal Navy during the American Revolution. This is a detailed chart of the Georgia, lower South Carolina and upper Florida coastlines, covering an area between the St. John River to John's Island. The towns of Savannah, Beaufort, Hardwick and Sunbury are shown and the coastal Parishes in Georgia are names. To the west is noted "Indian Boundary Line." This is the third and most important state of the map. The very important feature of this state of the map is the large (7 3/4 x 11 7/8 inch) inset map showing the Siege of Savannah: "British defenses of the city delineated in detail, keyed by number to separate explanation sheet. The Rebel camp and French encampments are indicated as are lines of march and approaches for the siege" (Nebenzahl). Nebenzahl, Printed Battle Plans of the American Revolution, # 75; Stevens 168c. #26672$42,500.00


	DES BARRES, J.F.W. (1721-1824) Egmont Harbour [modern Jeddore Harbour, Nova Scotia] London: Published by J.F.W. Des Barres in 'The Atlantic Neptune', 1 April, 1779. Sea chart, etched with roulette-work, with original colour, with aquatint view. Printed on laid paper with `J Bates' watermark and `JB' countermark. Sheet size: 32 x 24 1/8 inches. A very fine sea chart and view of Egmont, now called Jeddore Harbour, from 'The Atlantic Neptune', the first British sea atlas of her North American colonies This is a finely presented and highly detailed chart of what is now known as Jeddore Harbour, near Halifax. The bay, seven miles long and three miles wide, is captured in a cartographic composition of great topographical and hydrographical detail, and is further embellished by a roundel containing a mariner's view of the area. This chart is the fifth and final state produced, and is identical to the Henry Stevens Collection, variant 49G, in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. Des Barres studied under the great mathematician Daniel Bernoulli at the University of Basel, before continuing on to the Royal Military College at Woolwich. On the outbreak of the Seven Years war in 1756, he joined the British Royal American Regiment as a military engineer. He came to the attention of General James Wolfe, who appointed him to be his aide-de-camp. From 1762, Des Barres was enlisted to survey the coastlines of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and the Gulf of St.Lawrence, while his colleague, Samuel Holland charted the New England coast. In 1774, Des Barres returned to England where he began work on the Neptune. His dedication to the project was so strong, that often at his own expense, he continually updated and added new charts and views up until 1784. That year he returned to Canada, where he remained for a further forty years, becoming a senior political figure and a wealthy land owner, and living to the advanced age of 103. The Atlantic Neptune was the first British sea atlas of her North American colonies, and one of the most important achievements of eighteenth century cartography. With an official commission from the Royal Navy, Des Barres published the first volume in London in 1775, which was soon followed by further volumes. Des Barres' monumental endeavor eventually featured over two-hundred charts and aquatint views, many being found in several states. All of the charts were immensely detailed, featuring both hydrographical and topographical information. Des Barres' plates were used to print further editions up into the first decade of the nineteenth-century. The Neptune met with the highest acclaim from the beginning, and is today widely regarded as superior to all other atlases produced during its time. National Maritime Museum: Henry Stevens Collection: K0124 HNS 49G & Catalogue, no.38, p.382; Cf. Spendlove, The Face of Early Canada, Chapter 4: "J.F.W. Des Barres and The Atlantic Neptune"; pp. 18-22; Debard, "The Family Origins of Joseph Frederick Wallet Des Barres: A Riddle Finally Solved", Nova Scotia Historical Review, Vol 14, No. 2 (1994), p.15 #5597$2,500.00


	DES BARRES, J.F.W. (1721-1824) [Two views on one sheet] "The North Point of Grand Manan in the Bay of Fundy bearing E.N.E distant two Leagues"; "A View of Campo Bello at the Entrance of Passamaquady Bay" [London: Published by J.F.W. Des Barres in 'The Atlantic Neptune', n.d. but 1777]. Etching with aquatint, printed in sepia. Printed on laid paper with `J Bates' watermark and `JB' countermark. Small tear to left margin and lower margin. Sheet size: 32 7/8 x 23 inches. A fine pair of views in the Bay of Fundy and Passamaquady Bay, of the Canadian Islands of Campobello and Grand Manan Des Barres, of Swiss-Huguenot extraction, studied under the great mathematician Daniel Bernoulli at the University of Basel, before continuing on to the Royal Military College at Woolwich. Upon the outbreak of hostilities with France in 1756, he joined the British Royal American Regiment as a military engineer. He came to the attention of General James Wolfe, who appointed him to join his personal detail. During this period he also worked with the future legendary explorer James Cook on a monumental chart of the St. Lawrence River. From 1762, Des Barres was enlisted to survey the coastlines of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, while his colleague, Samuel Holland charted the New England coast. He also managed to gain access to some surveys of the American South, Cuba and Jamaica. In 1774, Des Barres returned to England where he began work on The Neptune. His dedication to the project was so strong, that often at his own expense, he continually updated and added new charts and views up until 1784. That year he returned to Canada, where he remained for a further forty years, becoming a senior political figure and a wealthy land owner, and living to the advanced age of 103. The Atlantic Neptune, the most celebrated sea atlas, contained the first systematic survey of the east coast of North America. Des Barres's synergy of great empirical accuracy with the peerless artistic virtue of his aquatint views, created a work that "has been described as the most splendid collection of charts, plates and views ever published" (National Maritime Museum Catalogue). Upon the conclusion of the Seven Years War, Britain's empire in North America was greatly expanded, and this required the creation of a master atlas featuring new and accurate sea charts for use by the Royal Navy. Des Barres was charged with this Herculean task, publishing the first volume in London in 1775, which was soon followed by three further volumes. Des Barres's monumental endeavor eventually featured over two-hundred charts and views, many being found in several states. Des Barres's charts were immensely detailed, featuring both hydrographical and topographical information, and in many cases remained the most authoritative maps of the regions covered for several decades. Cf. National Maritime Museum (Greenwich) Henry Newton Stevens Collection 11B #19314$1,750.00


	DES BARRES, J.F.W. (1721?-1824) A Chart of Delawar[e] Bay with Soundings and Nautical Observations taken by Capt. Sir Andrew Snape Hammond of the Navy and others Composed and Published for The Use of Pilotage.... London: Published by J. F. W. Des Barres in 'The Atlantic Neptune', June 1st, 1779. Black and white copper engraving. Large repaired tear (12") from bottom edge, parallel to centerfold. 4" repaired split from bottom in centerfold. Thin, uneven margins. Plate size: 30 1/4 x 22 1/8 inches. This is a fantastic sea chart of the Delaware coast from the 'The Atlantic Neptune' which is universally recognized as one of the most magnificent atlases ever made. This superb sea chart, constructed for the use of the British Navy, shows the major part of the Delaware coast, from Rehobeth to Bombay Hook, as well as the opposing south New Jersey shore. 'The Atlantic Neptune' was the first great marine atlas, and one of the great achievements of eighteenth century cartography. When publication in England began in 1774, it contained over 250 charts and views of the North American and Canadian coasts. The charts were intensely detailed and contained both hydrographical and topographical details. The Neptune was compiled and published for the Royal Navy by Joseph F. W. Des Barres, a Swiss cartographer who joined the Royal American Regiment as a surveyor. Des Barres fought in the French and Indian wars and was enlisted to survey the Canadian coastline. While his fellow surveyor, Samuel Holland charted the New England coast, Des Barres mapped the shoreline of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and the St. Lawrence River regions. In 1774, Des Barres returned to England where he compiled and published his monumental atlas; his dedication to the project was so strong that he published an updated version of the work every year until 1784. Des Barres' work was so superior to any other contemporary atlas that the maps were used as the standard charts of the East coast for over 50 years. The Neptune remains one of the most important atlases ever printed, its views and maps chart as aspect of the history of North America and now allow us to glimpse this land drastically changed by the passage of time. Snyder, City of Independence, p. 271. #20759$10,000.00

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