Hydrographical Office, British Admiralty

Lot 81
28.04.2021 11:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 2 750
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 519372
Lot 81 | Hydrographical Office, British Admiralty
Estimate value
£ 2 000 – 3 000
Hydrographical Office, British Admiralty
Coast of South America from the River of the Amazons to the Bay of Panama [thus titled on letterpress contents]. London: Hydrographical Office, various dates and sizes, 1807-1819.
Apparently published, yet unrecorded, collection of maritime charts of South America by the Hydrographical Office under the authority of Capt Thomas Hurd (c.1757-1823). The earliest charts are dated 1807 and 1808, and are published under the name of Alexander Dalrymple, the Hydrographer of the Royal Navy 1795-1808. After his death in office, Dalrymple was succeeded by Hurd, who professionalized the office and increased its efficiency. The printed letterpress contents leaf mounted on the front pastedown suggests these charts were published as a collected volume, reinforced by the fact that it calls this ‘Vol. I’, although we have not been able to trace a similar set of charts, let alone multiple volumes. The letterpress contents leaf omits Plan of the Channel formed by the English and Archimedes Banks which has been added in ink manuscript by a contemporary hand, as have chart numbers.

Quarto (329 x 325mm). 18 engraved charts of South American waters, of which 7 double-page and 2 double-page and folding (variable light spotting, browning and staining). Contemporary marbled-paper covered boards (rebacked and recornered).
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
14.04.2021 – 28.04.2021
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
?>