Smyth, William Henry
1830

Rare unrecorded chart of Alexandria Egypt after Smyth

Plan de la Ville de Mouillages & Environs D'Alexandrie Par le Capitaine Smyth assiste par les Lieutenans Slater, Elson, Master. Toulon. Chez Bellue Libraire. 1830.

DESCRIPTION: Unrecorded French nautical chart of the town, anchorages and environs around Alexandria, Egypt after a chart by Captain William Henry Smyth. Published by Bellue Libraire, Toulon, France in 1830. Lithographed by Moquin & Co., Montpellier.

Based on the survey of William Henry Smith R.N. (1788 - 1865) in 1822 aboard the surveying sloop Adventure, 6 guns.

Manuscript pencil notation and course tracks.

Mid-20th century conservation effort with the chart laid to linen and protected via thin-film lamination process to both recto and verso.

Captain William Henry Smyth(1791-1856)

Captain (later Admiral) William Henry Smith (1788 - 1865) became known as "Mediterranean Smyth" because of the large number of charts published by the Hydrographical Office of the British Admiralty based on Smyth's surveys of the Mediterranean coasts during the period 1813 - 1824.

W. H. Smyth was esteemed by Captain P. P. King who named Smyth Harbor after him. Captain Smyth commanded the Adventure before King and was an early member of a number of learned societies, well known for his hydrographic charts, for his astronomical work, and for a wide range of publications in varied fields.

W. H. Smyth was descended paternally from Captain John Smith who was a key figure in the early colonization of North America by the British. John Smith was the first English explorer to map the Chesapeake Bay area. [1]

[1] http://www.mocavo.com/Memoirs-of-Hydrography-Microform-Including-Brief-Biographies-of-the-Principal-Officers-Who-Have-Served-in-H-M-Naval-Surveying-Service-Between-the-Years-1750-and-1885/307233/71

CREATOR: Smyth, William Henry

PUBLICATION DATE: 1830

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: Egypt

BODY OF WATER: Mediterranean Sea

CONDITION: Fair. Laminated. Lightly age-toned. Section missing from upper right corner. Map with linen backing cut to an irregular shape. Age toning and a few spots, yet linen bright. Solid.

COLORING: None

ENGRAVER:

SIZE: 17 " x 22 "

ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION:

PRICE: $250

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