Catalog Archive
Auction 164, Lot 523

From Rare Pirated Edition of <i>English Pilot</i> by Female Publisher

"The Sea Coast of France from Ushent to Olone", Grierson, George

Subject: Western France

Period: 1750 (circa)

Publication: English Pilot

Color: Hand Color

Size:
20.5 x 17.2 inches
52.1 x 43.7 cm
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This extremely rare chart of the western coast of France extends from Brest in the north to the mouth of the Loire River. Cities and river inlets are shown along the coast, with the surrounding waters filled with rocks, shoals, soundings, and small islands. Two large insets at top show Brest harbor and an extension of the Loire River to Nantes. Small compass roses orient each chart. Cracks in the plate are visible both in and below the title cartouche.

This chart is from a pirated Irish edition of the English Pilot. George Grierson is well known for printing pirated editions of maps, particularly those of Hermann Moll and Mount & Page's English Pilot. He issued his pirated edition of the English Pilot in 1749, and his son, Boulter Grierson, published another edition in 1767. Interestingly, this map includes the imprint of George Grierson's second wife, Jane, who was the daughter of James Blow, a prominent Irish paper-maker and publisher. After George Grierson's death in 1753, his business was passed on to his eldest son, George Abraham Grierson. Upon George Abraham's untimely passing in 1755, Jane took over the business until the younger son, Boulter, came of age in 1758. Although mother and son worked together for a few years, Boulter dissolved his partnership with his mother in 1759 and opened his own publishing shop. Jane Grierson also operated her own shop, and is known to have published several works between 1758-75, however this is the only map we have found that bares her name.

References:

Condition: B+

A nice example, issued folding with very light toning, two tiny holes along the folds, and a couple of very minor spots.

Estimate: $350 - $425

Sold for: $250

Closed on 9/13/2017

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