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Auction 160, Lot 834

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"[Lot of 2] United States Coastal Charts 1783-1861 [and] Uncommon Obdurate: The Several Public Careers of J.F.W. DesBarres",

Subject: References, Coastal Charts

Period: 1969-84 (published)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
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A. United States Coastal Charts 1783-1861, by Peter J. Guthorn, published 1984, (9.3 x 12.3"). This interesting reference is the first in-depth study of American coastal charts in the years between the American Revolution and the Civil War. It features approximately 200 charts. 4to. Hardbound in blue cloth with gilt titles on spine. Marbled endpapers and pictorial dustjacket. 224 pp. Condition: Contents like new. Covers and dust jacket have some minor wear.

B. Uncommon Obdurate: The Several Public Careers of J.F.W. DesBarres, by G.N.D. Evans, published 1969, (7.3 x 10.3"). This is a biography of Joseph Frederick Wallet Des Barres based on papers acquired by the Public Archives of Canada. Des Barres was a military engineer with the British Royal American Regiment. At the conclusion of the French and Indian War, he surveyed the coastlines of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Upon his return to London in 1774, the Royal Navy assigned him the task of producing an atlas of new, accurate sea charts of Britain's empire in North America. In addition to his charts of the Canadian waters, he compiled the manuscripts of British cartographers in the American Colonies, Jamaica and Cuba and produced one of the most important sea atlases of the era, The Atlantic Neptune, published between 1777 and 1781. It contained the first systematic survey of the east coast of North America, consisting of four volumes and over 250 charts and views. All the charts were immensely detailed, featuring both hydrographical and topographical information. 130 pp. with some illustrations. Hardbound in blue cloth covers with gilt titles on spine and a dust jacket featuring a portrait of Des Barres. Condition: Contents and covers are in excellent condition. Dust jacket is clipped on its front inner flap and has slight wear and a short edge tear.

References:

Condition: A

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Estimate: $55 - $75

Sold for: $36

Closed on 11/16/2016

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