Imray, James
1849

Fine gold-rush era blueback chart of California

Chart of the Coast of California from San Blas to San Francisco Drawn Chiefly from the Spanish Surveys, the Charts of Vancouver, etc. The Whole Much Improved by Recent Observations made by English and French Naval Officers

DESCRIPTION: California gold-rush era blueback chart of the West Coast from the harbor of San Blas in Mexico heading north past San Francisco Bay. Coverage includes the Gulf of California and the Baja Peninsula. A wide nautical chart in landscape orientation.

Includes six insets and eight stunning coastal views. The insets include: "Entrance of San Francisco Harbour"; "Harbour of San Francisco By Capn. F.W. Beechey R.N. F.R.S."; and "Bay of Monterey By M. de Tessan of the French Navy." Also, Magdalen Bay, Mazatlan, and Guaymas.

Published by James Imray, Chart and Nautical Book Publisher 102, Minories. 1849.

During the 1800's there was a trend toward publication of very large small-scale charts with large-scale insets of key passages and harbors. The practice was driven as much by economics as any other reason. One chart could replace a dozen smaller charts. James Imray and Son was one of a handful of British publishers who specialized in these charts which were often backed with canvas or linen cloth or heavy blue paper in order to help them withstand the frequent use and abuse aboard ship, hence the term "blueback chart".

CREATOR: Imray, James

PUBLICATION DATE: 1849

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States

BODY OF WATER: Pacific Ocean

CONDITION: Good. Very clean. Rolled chart with blue paper backing. Two repairs from the verso to close tears with no loss to image. Manuscript course plots and notes in pencil near the Revillagigedo Islands.

COLORING: None

ENGRAVER:

SIZE: 56 " x 26 "

ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 1409

PRICE: $3900

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