Catalog Archive
Auction 135, Lot 245

"[Lot of 4 - California]", U.S. Coast Survey

Subject: California

Period: 1853-57 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
See Description
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

Preliminary Survey of Anacapa Island and East End of Santa Cruz Island California, 1856, (25.8 x 9.3"). A striking depiction, using full hachure shading to dramatize the steepness of these islands in the Santa Barbara Channel. Includes elevation view of the eastern extremity of the island with arch rock still intact. Although titled a "Preliminary Survey," this chart has extensive and detailed topographic detail along with numerous soundings. With some light toning along two folds from restoration effort, and short split at one fold. (B)

Preliminary Chart of Eastern Entrance to Santa Barbara Channel California, 1857, (23.3 x 16.3"). Covers the coastline from Point Mugu to Point Hueneme and on to the Town and Mission of Santa Buenaventura. Offshore the islands of Anacapa and Santa Cruz are well shown including soundings and dotted lines representing the limits of Kelp beds. With a trace of toning on some folds and one fold panel with repair tape on verso. (B+)

San Diego Entrance and Approaches / General Sketch of San Diego Bay and Los Coronados, 1853, (13 x 11.7"). An important, early San Diego nautical map. Two-thirds of the plate is taken up by a chart of Point Loma and part of North Island; the remainder is a sketch chart of the entire Bay plus approaches from as far south as the Coronado Islands. Sailing directions, light houses, soundings, and topographical features are illustrated and noted. The site of a proposed lighthouse lies off Point Loma. Issued folding, now flattened. (B+)

Cortez Bank on the Western Coast of the United States, 1853, (11.2 x 14.8"). This map provides a broad view of the Pacific Ocean off Southern California to include all of the bank which is delineated with fathom readings and lines of constant depth. This famous bank is a shipping hazard, but yields the largest surfing waves in the world, today holding the record at 70 feet tall ridden near Bishop's Rock. (B+)

References:

Condition:

See individual description.

Estimate: $160 - $200

Sold for: $210

Closed on 2/16/2011

Archived