James Imray and Son
1876

West Coast of North America from San Blas to San Francisco

DESCRIPTION: Spectacular and large blueback nautical chart from California's post Gold-Rush era . Published five years before the establishment of the San Francisco Stock Exchange at 312 California Street, this antique sea-faring chart documents all the ports, harbors, and towns along the west coast of North America from Mendocino City, CA. to past Cabo Corrientes, Mexico and includes the Baja Peninsula with full coverage of all the areas surrounding Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan, MX.

This blueback chart contains numerous inset charts including: San Francisco Bay; Santa Barbara; Bodega Bay; San Diego Bay; Ballena Bay; Mangles Road; San Jose del Cabo Bay; Tamales Bay; Magdalena Bay; San Lucas Bay; Mazatlan.

Verso consists of the original blue-paper backing as issued to strengthen the chart for its expected hard life at sea. Also on the verso is the original yellow publisher's label from the Imray firm that reads "COAST OF CALIFORNIA. James Imray and Son. London. Chart 135."

Due to changing conditions charts could become outdated quickly and it was important for mariners to understand the accuracy of their navigational charts. The British Admiralty and later the U.S. Coast Survey responded by recording the dates of each update on the map, in some cases maintaining a historical record of updates spanning many decades. Private publishers of sea charts fulfilled the same need by providing the date of the last update with an inked over stamp.

CREATOR: James Imray and Son

PUBLICATION DATE: 1876

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States

BODY OF WATER: Pacific Ocean

CONDITION: Very Good. A fine example. Wrinkling of the surface and light stains are moderate for a 140+ year old chart. Stout archival repairs with blueback paper from the verso to close wormholes and two tears.

COLORING: None except lighthouses are highlighted in yellow as issued.

ENGRAVER:

SIZE: 41 " x 60 "

ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 0

PRICE: $2400

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