Catalog Archive
Auction 160, Lot 189

Rare Chart of the Coast of New England by Captain Barnsley

"[On 2 Sheets] A New and Correct Chart of the Sea Coast of New-England, from Cape Codd to Casco Bay...", Mount & Page

Subject: Colonial New England - United States

Period: 1764 (circa)

Publication: The English Pilot, Fourth Book

Color: Black & White

Size:
23.1 x 18.7 inches
58.7 x 47.5 cm
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This rare chart of the New England coastline extends from Cape Cod, Massachusetts in the south to Casco Bay, Maine in the north. This chart was intended for navigational purposes, with soundings, shoals, banks, currents, and rocks identified. There is excellent detail of the various bays and inlets along the coast, with towns illustrated with miniature churches and buildings. At top right are five profile views to guide ship captains in their approaches to the coast. A large compass rose orients north to the top right of the chart.

This chart was created by Captain Henry Barnsley and was first published in the 1764 edition of The English Pilot, Fourth Book, replacing a chart of the region by Cyprian Southack that extended to Nova Scotia. This chart only appeared in a few editions of The English Pilot, being replaced in 1775 by a chart by John Senex, and is thus quite rare.

References: McCorkle #760.1; Sellers & Van Ee #809; Shirley (BL Atlases) M.M&P-5g #13.

Condition: B

The right margin of the right hand sheet has been restored with some facsimile work to the neatline, and there is some centerfold replacement in the same sheet, again with a small amount of image replaced in facsimile. There are additional repairs to the upper margin only, not affecting image. This is otherwise a good example of a rare chart.

Estimate: $2,750 - $3,500

Unsold

Closed on 11/16/2016

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