Catalog Archive
Auction 155, Lot 233

"San Francisco Peninsula", U.S. Coast Survey

Subject: San Francisco, California

Period: 1869 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
17.5 x 28 inches
44.5 x 71.1 cm
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The Office of Coast Survey is the oldest U.S. scientific organization, dating from 1807 when Congress directed that a "survey of the coast" be carried out. By 1836, it was called the U.S. Coast Survey and in 1878, the name was changed to the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. Today the Office of Coast Survey is a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA.

The survey teams, composed of civilians as well as Army and Naval officers, charted the nation's waterways and produced a wide array of reports, survey charts, hydrographic studies of tides and currents, astronomical studies and observations, and coastal pilots. These charts are an important record of the changing nature of the nation's coastlines. In additional to coastal charts, the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey produced land sketches, Civil War battle maps, and the early aeronautical charts.

A very detailed map that shows the peninsula from the location of today's San Francisco International Airport (here labeled Milbrae Station), and up to the city of San Francisco. The San Francisco and San Jose Railroad is shown leading into the city. The Cliff House at Pt. Lobos, the Presidio, Mission de Dolores, the large Green House Race Course, and many other interesting points of interest are noted. There is excellent detail of the city's street layout with the islands of Alcatraz and Yorba Buena detailed. Many coastal features are listed, including Point San Pedro, Fort Point, Black Point, Point San Quentin, Hunter's Point, Sierra Point and Point San Bruno. Remarkable detail for this period.

References:

Condition: B

Issued folding and now flattened and backed with tissue to reinforce and repair several short fold separations and a few tiny areas of loss at fold intersections. Light toning along the folds with a binding trim at left.

Estimate: $250 - $325

Sold for: $140

Closed on 11/18/2015

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