PBA Galleries

Engraved chart, blue backed. With 21 inset charts. 127x101 cm (50x39¾").

Very large chart of the West Coast of North America as far north as Point Delgado, in Humboldt County, California. The largest inset, of San Francisco, measures about 42x61 cm, and it has within it a small inset of South Farallon. The other insets are smaller, and include: Bodega Bay; Santa Barbara; Monterey, Mangles Road; Ballena Bay; Amortajada Bay. San Diego Bay; Salinas Bay; Pichilingue; Pullpita Anchorage; Guaymas; Colnett Bay; Tomales Bay; Port San Blas; Sn. Jose del Cabo Bay; San Lucas Bay; San Pedro Anchorage; Magdalena Bay; and Mazatlan. The land portion is shaded grey. Light houses marked by yellow dots. Imray's stock label on verso, with price 10 shillings. The inset of San Francisco Bay was issued as a separate in Imray's Sailing Directions for the West Coast of North America, 1867.

Further Notes from the Files of Warren Heckrotte

Full title: West Coast | of | North America | From |  San Blas to San Francisco | London | Published by James Imray and Son | 89 Minories and Tower Hill | 1883 [ ink stamp of Imray's with date 1884] || Note of Explanations ---.  The Longitudes of nine stations on the coast north of San Diego were determined by means of moon culminations, occulations and solar eclipees.The observations of moon culminations extended generally through three lunations. The latitudes were also determined with the utmost possible accuracy. || Compiled by James Imray FRGS  The coast north of San Diego is copied from the Charts of the U.S. Coast survey; that south of it, also the Revillagedo islands from the running survey executed in 1874 by the officers of the steamer Narragansett under the command of Commander George Devey U.S. Navy. The longitudes in the latter section depend on the longitude of S. Diego being 117º 9' 40'' W.

Provenance: Old World Auction, 5/9/07

This chart was first issued in 1849. It has a different format with north east at the top; rather than about north as in this instance. It also has far fewer insets. The inset of San Francisco Bay was issued as a separate in Imray's Sailing Directions for the West Coast of North America, 1867. J Potter, Cat 12/07, dates his two copies, 1879-1881 and 1879-1895. Presumably 1879 is the first issue of this format.