DESCRIPTION: Elegant, simple and useful early 20th-century antique nautical chart of Portsmouth, New Hampshire harbor and entrance. Nearby points of interest include Kittery, Seaveys Island, Gerrishes Island, Cutts Island, Newcastle Island, Little Harbor, Sagamore Creek and much more. By George W. Eldridge.
Much useful information including soundings, anchorages, ranges, buoys, and bottom composition are presented by Eldridge in a clear graphic style that would have been appreciated by and helpful to mariners. For instance, these charts are printed with bold black coastal outlines that would have been much easier to read under poor lighting conditions.
Attribution reads: 'AUTHORIZED and PUBLISHED By Geo. W. Eldridge, Vineyard Haven, Mass and 132 State St. Boston.' Number 56 from Eldridges book of harbor charts. Price 30 cents.
George Washington Eldridge (1845-1914)
George Washington Eldridge (1845-1914) was an American cartographer, publisher, and sailor. He was born on October 23, 1845, in Chatham, Massachusetts, United States, and was the son of the famous cartographer and hydrographer George Eldridge (1821-1900). The Eldridges are among the best known private publishers of nautical charts during the 19th century, they published their own charts in competition with the U.S. Coast Survey.
Eldridge grew up in a family of sailors and was trained by his father in cartography and navigation. In 1866, at the age of 21, he started working for his father's chart-making and publishing business, which was based in Chatham. Later, he took over the business and expanded it, adding new products such as sailing guides, tide tables, and nautical almanacs.
Eldridge's most famous publication was the "Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book," which he first published in 1875. The book became an essential resource for sailors and navigators along the East Coast of the United States and remains in publication to this day. He also created charts and maps for the U.S. Navy during the Spanish-American War.
In addition to his work as a cartographer and publisher, Eldridge was an accomplished sailor who participated in several yacht races and regattas. G.W. was also a member of the Boston Yacht Club and served as its commodore from 1898 to 1900. One of Eldridge's most significant accomplishments was the construction of a new clubhouse for the Boston Yacht Club. Eldridge led the effort to raise funds and oversee the construction of the new facility, which was located on the waterfront in Marblehead, Massachusetts.
Source: Guthorn, Peter. United State Coastal Charts: 1783 - 1861. Exton, Pennsylvania. 1984. p. 12.
PUBLICATION DATE: 1908
GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States
BODY OF WATER: Portsmouth Harbor
CONDITION: Good
Clean on strong pages with adequate margins. Light stain top center margin area.
COLORING: Fine outline color by brush.
ENGRAVER:
SIZE: 18
" x
13 "
ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 10
PRICE: $145
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