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  • Ode To Oceanography: An Antique Nautical Chart Of The Southern Pacific Ocean

    Today’s map is an antique map of the Southern Pacific Ocean. The Southern Pacific Ocean is a region from the Pacific Ocean spanning from the southern side of the Equator to Southern Chile. The area spans approximately 12,726 kilometers across. The map is in fantastic condition, apart from yellowing in the upper right corner, wrinkles, & a few small creases. These imperfections are consistent with being used on a ship, meaning this map was likely used by a group of sailors. The dimensions of the map are approximately 38.5 inches long & 75 inches wide. In this article, we will discuss the map itself, the translation of certain sections of the map, & analyze this antique nautical map. With that being said let us delve into the Southern Pacific Ocean. The Map A beautifully in-depth map of the Southern Pacific Ocean. Credit to Maps Of Antiquity. Due to the map being in English, there is no need for translation. The chart is centered on the Southern Pacific Ocean, & Oceania. The chart is was made to be uncoloured, however it has slightly yellowed with time. The chart has the names of various islands, seaways, & topographic features, with certain areas marked with a question mark, or as “doubtful”. The map is semi-accurate, as certain islands are not listed, & other areas are marked as unknown. The chart has 6 different small compasses on the chart located in the center, upper center, lower left, & upper left. These would have been used by sailors to stay on course, & guide them. An Analysis of the Chart This chart was originally designed in 1848 by James Imray, a Scottish Hydrographer, Sailor, & Cartographer. The map was produced & published in London, as that is where Imray’s cartographic office was located. Revisions & additions were made in 1855, with a new version of the map being published then. The map was originally made for Civilian Use, & was likely not used by any militaries. Considering the time that the map was produced in, & the mapmaker, this map was likely made using Lithography. Lithography is a method of printing that arose in the 1820’s, & remained the most popular method of printing until the early 1930’s, when more efficient methods became available. In the lithographic method, the artist will draw directly onto a printing surface, such as zinc, or copper, until they are satisfied with the drawing. After this, the surface will be covered with a chemical etch, which will bond it to the surface. With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate & repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from deviating. After the map wanted is inked, the paper is laid over it & covered with a tympan, & the tympan is pressed down. Finally, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho press. Afterwards, an exact copy of whatever was supposed to be printed is revealed. Directories / Credits All credit for this map analyzed today goes to Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. To purchase this map, any other maps, or any other cartographic objects, please visit mapsofantiquity.com. To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Maps Of Antiquity, as we do not have a partnership with them. Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler The Marine Enthusiasts Podcast STEMScribe Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

  • Ode To Oceanography: An Antique Nautical Chart Of The Carolinas

    Today’s map is an antique map of the coastline of the Carolinas. The Carolinas are the states of North & South Carolina, located in the South Eastern Area of the United States. Combined, they occupy approximately 85,839 square miles, with a combined coastline of over 3,565 miles long. The map is in decent condition, as it has been restored. There is very little damage around the map, & all place names, geographic features, & waterways are clearly marked. The chart is approximately 27.5 inches long, & 37 inches wide. In this article, we will discuss the map itself, the translation of certain sections of the map, & analyze this antique full chart. With that being said let us delve into the coastline surrounding the Carolinas. The Map An antique nautical map of the coast of the Carolinas. As the map is in English, there is no need for translation. The chart is centered around South & North Carolina, & lacks color. It is very clear as well as detailed, with most peninsulas, islands, & curves of the coast outlined. The names of various towns, states, & rivers can be seen on the map, with North Carolina to the North & Florida to the south. There are 2 small compasses on the map, located in the lower center & upper right. These would have been used by sailors to stay on course, & guide them. An Analysis of the Map This map was produced in 1832 by Edmund March Blunt, an American cartographer, hydrographer, & bookseller. It was found by Maps of Antiquity, who restored it, cleaned it, & fixed its backing. This map was likely made in the United States, as Blunt’s cartographic office was based in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The chart is fairly accurate, with very little being left off or inaccurate. It likely isn’t a part of any particular collection. The chart was made for civilian use, & was not made to be used in strategic combat. As the map was produced in 1832, it was likely made using Lithography. Lithography is a method of printing that arose in the 1820s, & remained the most popular method of printing until the early 1930s when more efficient methods became available. In the lithographic method, the artist will draw directly onto a printing surface, such as zinc, or copper, until they are satisfied with the drawing. After this, the surface will be covered with a chemical etch, which will bond it to the surface. With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate & repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from deviating. After the map wanted is inked, the paper is laid over it & covered with a tympan, & the tympan is pressed down. Finally, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho press. Afterward, an exact copy of whatever was supposed to be printed is revealed. Directories / Credits All credit for this map analyzed today goes to Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. To purchase this map, any other maps, or any other cartographic objects, please visit mapsofantiquity.com. To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Maps Of Antiquity, as we do not have a partnership with them. It encompasses the areas of the Atlantic Ocean near the Carolinas, & extends up to North Carolina & down to Florida. Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors The Marine Enthusiasts Podcast SharkedSkooler STEMScribe Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

  • Ode To Oceanography: An Antique Nautical Chart Of Puget Sound

    Today’s map is an antique map of Puget Sound, Washington. Puget Sound is a sound in northern Washington, with several large cities such as Tacoma and Seattle along its coastline. The sound is comprised of a very complex network of waterways going between Washington and Canada. The sound is quite large, with an area of approximately 1,020 square miles (2641.788 square kilometers). The map is in great condition, apart from some small stains on the upper part of the map. The dimensions are approximately 40.5 inches wide, & 32.5 inches long. In this article we will discuss the map itself, the translation of certain sections of the map, & analyze this antique nautical map. With that being said let us delve into the interesting & biodiverse area of Puget Sound. The Chart An Antique Nautical Chart of Puget Sound, Washington, USA. Credit to Maps of Antiquity. As the map is in English, there is no need for translation. The chart is centered around Puget Sound, & lacks colour. It has much detail with almost every curve in the shoreline, each peninsula, & each island outlined perfectly. The names of various areas of Puget Sound are clearly outlined on the map, with most areas marked. The map has 3 different compasses on it, which would point the reader wherever they wish to go, no matter where they are in Puget Sound. These compasses are located in the upper left corner, the middle of the chart, and the upper right corner. An Analysis of the Chart This chart was designed in 1891 by the United States Coast & Geodetic Survey, one of the precursors to the National Atmospheric & Oceanic Administration. The United States Coastal & Geodetic Survey was the first scientific Agency made by the United States Government, established in 1807. The Agency was unfortunately abolished in 1970 when it was merged with several other agencies to create the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. The map is fairly accurate as to how Puget Sound appeared at the time. Although it was made for militaristic use, it was likely also used by civilian sailors. It is not clear how this map was made, however, the most popular method at the time was Lithography. The lithographic method was most popular for map making between the early 1820s, & the early 1930s. In the lithographic method, the artist will draw directly onto a printing surface, such as zinc, or copper, until they are satisfied with the drawing. After this, the surface will be covered with a chemical etch, which will bond it to the surface. With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate & repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from deviating. After the map wanted is inked, the paper is laid over it & covered with a tympan, & the tympan is pressed down. Finally, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho press. Afterward, an exact copy of whatever was supposed to be printed is revealed. Directories / Credits All credit for this map analyzed today goes to Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. To purchase this map, any other maps, or any other cartographic objects, please visit mapsofantiquity.com. To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Maps Of Antiquity, as we do not have a partnership with them. Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

  • Ode To Oceanography: A Vintage Nautical Chart Of Delaware Bay 

    This is the sixteenth article in our Ode to Oceanography Series. This series will publish on the 15th of every month, until we run out of antique nautical maps to analyze, though that will not be for many decades. Once that happens, we will keep the series running, but we will change the article format. In these articles, will take an antique nautical map & analyze it in its entirety. These maps will not strictly be on open oceanic waters, they may be on rivers or occasionally, bays. We will also discuss the methods that may have been used to make the map, considering the time period, & the country of origin. These maps will come from a variety of sources, though they will mainly come from Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. These maps will come from varying time periods, & will not be in any particular historical order. Today’s map, is a vintage map of Delaware Bay, located in the Northeast of the United States. The bay of Delaware is a body of water in between the state of Delaware, & New Jersey. It is approximately 782 square miles in area, & is composed of both saltwater & freshwater. The map is in fantastic condition, with very little yellowing, folds, or damage. The chart is approximately 37 inches tall, & 30.6 inches wide. In this article we will discuss the map itself, the translation of certain sections of the map, & analyze this antique nautical map. With that being said let us delve into the serene area of Delaware Bay. The Chart As map is in English, there is no need for translation. The chart is centered around Delaware Bay. The map is coloured, with the land areas being coloured yellow or cream, while the areas with water are coloured white. The chart has much detail, with the names of various banks, rivers, & landmasses on it. Many terrestrial topographic features are also outlined. An Analysis of the Chart This map was designed in 1926 by the United States Coastal & Geodetic Survey, one of the precursors to the National Atmospheric & Oceanic Administration. The United States Coastal & Geodetic Survey was the first scientific Agency made by the United States Government, established in 1807. The Agency was unfortunately abolished in 1970, when it was merged with several other agencies to create the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. The map is fairly accurate, with very few terrestrial or oceanic areas being left off. Although it was made for militaristic use, it was likely also used by civilians. It is not clear how this map was made, however the most likely method was Lithography. The lithographic method was most popular for map making between the early 1820’s, & the 1910’s. In the lithographic method, the artist will draw directly onto a printing surface, such as zinc, or copper, until they are satisfied with the drawing. After this, the surface will be covered with a chemical etch, which will bond it to the surface. With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate & repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from deviating. After the map wanted is inked, the paper is laid over it & covered with a tympan, & the tympan is pressed down. Finally, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho press. Afterwards, an exact copy of whatever was supposed to be printed is revealed. Directories / Credits All credit for this map analyzed today goes to Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. To purchase this map, any other maps, or any other cartographic objects, please visit mapsofantiquity.com. To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Maps Of Antiquity, as we do not have a partnership with them. Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast StemScribe Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

  • Ode To Oceanography: An Antique Nautical Chart Of Cape Cod

    This is the sixteenth article in the Ode to Oceanography series. This series will publish on the 15th of every month, until we run out of antique nautical maps to analyze, though that will not be for many decades. Once that happens, we will keep the series running, but we will change the article format. In these articles, will take an antique nautical map & analyze it in its entirety. These maps will not strictly be on open oceanic waters, they may be on rivers or occasionally, bays. We will also discuss the methods that may have been used to make the map, considering the time period, & the country of origin. These maps will come from a variety of sources, though they will mainly come from Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. These maps will come from varying time periods, & will not be in any particular historical order. Today’s map, is an antique map of Cape Cod. Cape Cod is a cape along the southern coast of Massachusetts, a state located in the north east area of the United States. It is approximately 70 miles in length, & extends 65 miles away from Massachusetts into the Atlantic Ocean. The map is in excellent condition, with all information clear & visible, & there being very few signs of damage. The map is approximately 29 inches tall, by 35 inches wide. In this article we will discuss the map itself, the translation of certain sections of the map, & analyze this antique nautical map. With that being said let us delve into the tranquil area of Cape Cod. The Map As the map is in English, there is no need for translation. The map is uncoloured, & has many terrestrial topographic features outlined. The chart is incredibly detailed, & has the name of many small villages & towns that are located along Cape Cod outlined on it. It is centered around the cape itself. It does have some information regarding tides on it, along with information concerning the oceanic depths near Cape Cod. An Analysis of the Map This map was designed & created in 1836, based off of information collected in 1833 & 1835. The chart was designed by the United States Topographical Engineers, a branch of the United States Military which officially existed from 1838 to 1863. The map was likely produced in New York State, as this is where many of the Topographical Engineers were located at the time. The map encompasses the entirety of Cape Cod, Cape Cod Harbour, & Provincetown. At the time, it was designed for use military use, specifically use by the Army & the Navy. The map does not have a particular name, & does not seem to be a part of any collection. This map was most certainly made via the lithographic process, due to its maker, & the time that it was manufactured in. The lithographic method was most popular for map making between the early 1820’s, & the 1910’s. In the lithographic method, the artist will draw directly onto a printing surface, such as zinc, or copper, until they are satisfied with the drawing. After this, the surface will be covered with a chemical etch, which will bond it to the surface. With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate & repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from deviating. After the map wanted is inked, the paper is laid over it & covered with a tympan, & the tympan is pressed down. Finally, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho press. Afterwards, an exact copy of whatever was supposed to be printed is revealed. Directories / Credits All credit for this map analyzed today goes to Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. To purchase this map, any other maps, or any other cartographic objects, please visit mapsofantiquity.com. To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Maps Of Antiquity, as we do not have a partnership with them. Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast StemScribe Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

  • Ode To Oceanography: An Antique Chart Of The Western Pacific Ocean

    This is the fifteenth article in the Ode to Oceanography Series. This series will publish on the 15th of every month, until we run out of antique nautical maps to analyze, though that will not be for many decades. Once that happens, we will keep the series running, but we will change the article format. In these articles, will take an antique nautical map & analyze it in its entirety. These maps will not strictly be on open oceanic waters, they may be on rivers or occasionally, bays. We will also discuss the methods that may have been used to make the map, considering the period, & the country of origin. These maps will come from a variety of sources, though they will mainly come from Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. These maps will come from varying periods, & will not be in any particular historical order. Today’s map is an antique map of the Western Pacific Ocean. Our map shows the south of Japan, the eastern tip of China, & the northern tip of Papua New Guinea. The map covers an area of approximately 2,300 nautical miles. The map has some slight moisture damage in the upper right portion of the map, & creases in the center & lower area of the map. This, however, doesn’t distort any of the information on the map, & overall the chart is still in a premium condition. The chart is approximately 49 inches high, & 40 inches wide. In this article, we will discuss the map itself, the translation of certain sections of the map, & analyze this antique nautical map. With that being said let us delve into the Western Pacific Ocean. The Map As the chart is in English, there is no need for translation. The chart is uncolored, & has the names of various cities, towns, & settlements on it. An Analysis of the Map This map was created in 1864, by the famous Scottish cartographer & hydrographer pair James Imray & James Frederick Imray. James Imray was the father of James Frederick Imray. The map was created & published in London. This map was made available for purchase by Maps of Antiquity. It is unclear whether or not the map is a part of any particular collection. The map has many different islands across it, & a few different sea routes instructing sailors how to get between said islands. There are no major topographical features outlined other than the ocean, & the islands. The island is very accurate, & there are very few islands missing from the chart. The chart is not centered around anything in particular. It was not made for militaristic purposes, & was only intended for informal use. This map was most certainly made via the lithographic process, due to its maker, & the time that it was manufactured. The lithographic method was most popular for map making between the early 1820s, & the 1910s. In the lithographic method, the artist will draw directly onto a printing surface, such as zinc, or copper, until they are satisfied with the drawing. After this, the surface will be covered with a chemical etch, which will bond it to the surface. With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate & repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from deviating. After the map wanted is inked, the paper is laid over it & covered with a tympan, & the tympan is pressed down. Finally, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho press. Afterward, an exact copy of whatever was supposed to be printed is revealed. Directories / Credits All credit for this map analyzed today goes to Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. To purchase this map, any other maps, or any other cartographic objects, please visit mapsofantiquity.com. To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Maps Of Antiquity, as we do not have a partnership with them. with them. Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

  • Ode To Oceanography: An Antique Nautical Chart Of The Bermuda Islands

    This article is the fourteenth article in our Ode To Oceanography series. This series will publish on the 15th of every month, until we run out of antique nautical maps to analyze, though that will not be for many decades. Once that happens, we will keep the series running, but we will change the article format. In these articles, will take an antique nautical map & analyze it in its entirety. These maps will not strictly be on open oceanic waters, they may be on rivers or occasionally, bays. We will also discuss the methods that may have been used to make the map, considering the time period, & the country of origin. These maps will come from a variety of sources, though they will mainly come from Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. These maps will come from varying time periods, & will not be in any particular historical order. Today’s map, is an antique map of the Bermuda Islands. The Bermuda Islands are a small group of islands in the Northern Atlantic Ocean, governed by the United Kingdom. Bermuda is located approximately 1,051 miles off the coast of Florida. The total territory is approximately 20.6 square miles (53.35376 square kilometers). The chart that we are examining is in wonderful condition, with details being clear & precise, & the paper having very few blemishes. There are a few small yellowed spots near the bottom of the map, & a slight curling at the bottom of the chart, however it does not have any affect on the quality of the map itself. The chart is approximately 30 inches (76.2 centimeters) long, & 40.5 inches (102.87 centimeters) wide. In this article we will discuss the map itself, the translation of certain sections of the map, & a surface level analysis on this antique nautical map. With that being said let us delve into the isles of Bermuda. The Chart Due to the chart being in English, there is no need for any translation. The chart is centered on Bermuda, & its surrounding isles. The chart is uncoloured. The chart has the names of a few settlements on the isle, as well as the safe sea routes between the isles. This chart does label multiple oceanic depths, & oceanic points of interest. An Analysis of the Chart This chart was created in 1877 by the United States Hydrographic Office as a part of a survey. As it was made in collaboration with the Navy, it was likely used for Military Research. Additionally, the map has six compasses on it, 4 of which point to magnetic north. This would have been useful in guiding the viewer as to what true north & magnetic north were while sailing. The chart does not have any of the topographical features of Bermuda Outlined on it. It is extremely accurate & detailed, with almost all of the islands around Bermuda being labelled properly. This map was most certainly made via the lithographic process, due to its maker, & the time period that it was manufactured in. In the lithographic method, the artist will draw directly onto a printing surface, such as zinc, or copper, until they are satisfied with the drawing. After this, the surface will be covered with a chemical etch, which will bond it to the surface. With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate & repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from deviating. After the map wanted is inked, the paper is laid over it & covered with a tympan, & the tympan is pressed down. Finally, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho-press. Afterwards, an exact copy of whatever was supposed to be printed is revealed. Directories / Credits All credit for this map analyzed today goes to Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. To purchase this map, any other maps, or any other cartographic objects, please visit mapsofantiquity.com. To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Maps Of Antiquity, as we do not have a partnership with them. Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

  • Ode To Oceanography: A Chart Of The Bay Of Bengal

    This is the thirteenth article in our Ode to Oceanography Series. This series will publish on the 15th of every month, until we run out of antique nautical maps to analyze, though that will not be for many decades. Once that happens, we will keep the series running, but we will change the article format. In these articles, will take an antique nautical map & analyze it in its entirety. These maps will not strictly be on open oceanic waters, they may be on rivers or occasionally, bays. We will also discuss the methods that may have been used to make the map, considering the time period, & the country of origin. These maps will come from a variety of sources, though they will mainly come from Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. These maps will come from varying time periods, & will not be in any particular historical order. Today’s map, is an antique map of the Bay of Bengal. The Bay of Bengal is a part of the Indian Ocean, that is located between India, & the Indochinese peninsula. The Bay Of Bengal Region is approximately 838,600 square miles (2,171,964.03 square kilometers). The chart itself is in fair condition, but it does have some moisture damage on the corners. Additionally, it has some a large crease in the center, & a small crease towards the side of the map. The map is approximately 39.5 inches long, & 50 inches wide. In this article we will discuss the map itself, the translation of certain sections of the map, & a surface level analysis on this antique nautical map. With that being said let us delve into the Bay of Bengal. The Chart Since this map was made & designed in English, there is no need for translation. The map is very detailed & uncoloured, with no writing smudged. The map is centered on the Bay of Bengal. The map has the various names of settlements that are in the Bay of Bengal, as well as all the island chains that are in the Bay. This map is very accurate, & very few islands are left off of it. The map does not have any oceanic depths, or oceanic features labelled. An Analysis of the Chart This map was Published in 1873, by Scottish Hydrographers, James Imray & James Frederick Imray. James Imray was the father of James Frederick Imray. The map was made & published in London. This map was made available for purchase by Maps of Antiquity. It is unclear whether or not the map is a part of any particular collection. This map was made privately, & was not used for military purposes. Considering the time & the person that this was made by, the map was most certainly made by Lithography. There are extremely few other methods that it would have been made with, & lithography was the cheapest & fastest way to produce maps at the time. In the lithographic method, the artist will draw directly onto a printing surface, such as zinc, or copper, until they are satisfied with the drawing. After this, the surface will be covered with a chemical etch, which will bond it to the surface. With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate & repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from deviating. After the map wanted is inked, the paper is laid over it & covered with a tympan, & the tympan is pressed down. Finally, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho press. Afterwards, an exact copy of whatever was supposed to be printed is revealed. Directories / Credits All credit for this map analyzed today goes to Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. To purchase this map, any other maps, or any other cartographic objects, please visit mapsofantiquity.com. To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Maps Of Antiquity, as we do not have a partnership with them. Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

  • Ode To Oceanography: An Antique Nautical Chart Of Martinque, France

    This article is the twelfth article in the Ode To Oceanography. This series will publish on the 15th of every month, until we run out of antique nautical maps to analyze, though that will not be for many decades. Once that happens, we will keep the series running, but we will change the article format. In these articles, will take an antique nautical map & analyze it in its entirety. These maps will not strictly be on open oceanic waters, they may be on rivers or occasionally, bays. We will also discuss the methods that may have been used to make the map, considering the period, & the country of origin. These maps will come from a variety of sources, though they will mainly come from Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. These maps will come from varying periods, & will not be in any particular historical order. Today’s map is an antique map of Martinique, which is an overseas French territory. The area depicted on the map is a road along Saint Pierre, which used to be one of the sparkling jewels of the island. Saint Pierre is located on the central western side of the island, along with this particular road. The map does have some yellowing along the coastal area of the map, & a strange yellow dot on the right-hand side of the map. The yellowing on the paper is due to the oxidation caused by the cellulose in the paper. The edges are a bit blunt, & 1 of them is slightly curled back, but that does not obscure any of the map. The map is 17 inches (43.18 centimeters) long, & 12.25 (31.115 centimeters) inches wide. In this article, we will discuss the map itself, the translation of certain sections of the map, & a surface-level analysis of this antique nautical map. With that being said let us delve into the Caribbean Sea, of the prized Martinique. The Map Since this map was made & designed in English, there is no need for translation. The map is very detailed & clear, with no writing smudged. The main thing on this map is the road & community along Saint Pierre. Additionally, the map is centered on this road. Interestingly, The map has the oceanic depths of the surrounding coast on it. uncolored, & does not seem to have any faded color. Many topographical features are outlined, such as the nearby mountains. An Analysis of the Chart This map was designed & printed in 1877, by the United States Hydrographic Office of the United States Navy. The original survey that was used to make the map, was done by the French, in 1825. This map was made for militaristic purposes, & most likely used for them. The map is extremely precise, accurate, detailed, & incredibly useful for sailors who were sailing into Saint Pierre. It is unclear if this map was a part of any particular collection. This map was most certainly made via the lithographic process, due to its maker, & the periodAfterward that it was manufactured in. In the lithographic method, the artist will draw directly onto a printing surface, such as zinc, or copper, until they are satisfied with the drawing. After this, the surface will be covered with a chemical etch, which will bond it to the surface. With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate & repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from deviating. After the map wanted is inked, the paper is laid over it & covered with a tympan, & the tympan is pressed down. Finally, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho press. Afterwards, an exact copy of whatever was supposed to be printed is revealed. Directories / Credits All credit for this map analyzed today goes to Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. To purchase this map, any other maps, or any other cartographic objects, please visit mapsofantiquity.com. To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Maps Of Antiquity, as we do not have a partnership with them. Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

  • Ode To Oceanography: An Antique Nautical Chart Of The Baltic Sea

    This article is the eleventh installment in the Ode To Oceanography Series. This series will publish on the 15th of every month, until we run out of antique nautical maps to analyze, though that will not be for many decades. Once that happens, we will keep the series running, but we will change the article format. In these articles, will take an antique nautical map & analyze it in its entirety. These maps will not strictly be on open oceanic waters, they may be on rivers or occasionally, bays. We will also discuss the methods that may have been used to make the map, considering the period, & the country of origin. These maps will come from a variety of sources, though they will mainly come from Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. These maps will come from varying periods, & will not be in any particular historical order. Today’s map is an antique map of the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea is approximately 149,000 square miles (385,908.228 Square Kilometers), & 1,000 miles (1609.34 kilometers) long. The primary country on this map is Sweden, but part of the German Coast can be seen. There is slight yellowing on the right-hand side of the Map, which is due to the oxidation caused by the cellulose in the paper. There is also slight curling in the corners of the map, but that does not obscure any of the maps. The dimensions of the chart are 37.5 inches (95.25 centimeters) long, & 23 inches (58.42 centimeters) wide. In this article, we will discuss the map itself & the translation of certain sections of the map, & a surface-level analysis of this antique nautical map. With that being said let us delve into the Baltic Sea. The Map Since this map is in English, it does not need to be translated. This map is extremely detailed, & fairly large. The map is also in very good condition considering the fact that it is over 130 years old. The map is uncolored, & does not seem to have any faded color. This map has many different names of towns along both the Swedish & German Coast, as well as a few different islands on it. Coves, bays, & inlets, however, are not labeled or featured on the chart. Topographical features such as mountains, are not outlined on this map. An Analysis of the Nautical Chart This map was made in 1872. It is unknown where exactly this map was found. This map was made for the British Admiralty, by the British Admiralty, though It is unclear what exactly this map was used for in the British Admiralty. This map encompasses the majority of the Swedish Coast, & parts of the Baltic Coast of Germany. This map isn’t known to be a part of any particular nautical collection. Since the chart was printed in the 1870’s, it was most likely made through the lithographic method. In the lithographic method, the artist will draw directly onto a printing surface, such as zinc, or copper, until they are satisfied with the drawing. After this, the surface will be covered with a chemical etch, which will bond it to the surface. With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate & repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from deviating. After the map wanted is inked, the paper is laid over it & covered with a tympan, & the tympan is pressed down. Finally, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho press. Afterward, an exact copy of whatever was supposed to be printed is revealed. Directories / Charts All credit for this map analyzed today goes to Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. To purchase this map, any other maps, or any other cartographic objects, please visit mapsofantiquity.com. To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Maps Of Antiquity, as we do not have a partnership with them. Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

  • Ode To Oceanography: An Antique Nautical Chart Of The Bay Of Biscay 

    This article is the tenth installment in the Ode To Oceanography series. This series will publish on the 15th of every month, until we run out of antique nautical maps to analyze, though that will not be for many decades. Once that happens, we will keep the series running, but we will change the article format. In these articles, will take an antique nautical map & analyze it in its entirety. These maps will not strictly be on open oceanic waters, they may be on rivers or occasionally, bays. We will also discuss the methods that may have been used to make the map, considering the period, & the country of origin. These maps will come from a variety of sources, though they will mainly come from Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. These maps will come from varying periods, & will not be in any particular historical order. Today’s Map up for Analysis is an antique map of the Bay Of Biscay, Between the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Spain, The Faroe Islands, & The Orkney Islands. The map is in fair condition, but there is a lot of moisture-curdling damage towards the center of the map. Though this does slightly degrade the overall quality of the map, everything is still perfectly legible. In this article, we will discuss the map itself & the translation of certain sections of the map, & a surface-level analysis of this antique nautical map. With that being said, let us delve into the Bay Of Biscay. The Map Since the map is in English, there is no need for translation as this is the English Version of our newsletter. An Analysis Of The Map This map was made in the year 1879, by Wilson & John William Norie, who were British cartographers. This map was found by Maps of Antiquity, a lovely New England map shop. This map was most likely made in Britain, as that is where John William Norie’s maps were primarily made. The map covers approximately 1,150 nautical miles (2129.8 kilometers, or 1323.396 miles), though this measurement is rough. The map is extremely accurate, & very few islands are left off of it. As far as we are aware, this map is not a part of a certain collection. This map does not display most topographical features. The map is currently uncolored, & it is most likely made uncolored. It was not made, or used for militaristic purposes as far as we can tell. The map does not seem to be centered on any country, or port. No coves, ports, or beaches are labeled on this map, as it is a small-scale map. This map was most certainly made using lithography, due to the timing, & the way that the map looks. Lithography became popular in the early 1800s, & commercial lithography in 1820, so the timing for the map to be made using this method aligns. Additionally, there are extremely few other methods that it would have been made with, as lithography was the cheapest & fastest way to produce maps at the time. In the lithographic method, the artist will draw directly onto a printing surface, such as zinc, or copper, until they are satisfied with the drawing. After this, the surface will be covered with a chemical etch, which will bond it to the surface. With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate & repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from deviating. After the map wanted is inked, the paper is laid over it & covered with a tympan, & the tympan is pressed down. Finally, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho press. Afterward, an exact copy of whatever was supposed to be printed is revealed. Directories / Credits All credit for this map analyzed today goes to Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. To purchase this map, any other maps, or any other cartographic objects, please visit mapsofantiquity.com. To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Maps Of Antiquity, as we do not have a partnership with them. Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

  • Ode To Oceanography: An Antique Nautical Chart Of The North Sea 

    This article is the ninth installment in the Ode To Oceanography series. This series will publish on the 15th of every month, until we run out of antique nautical maps to analyze, though that will not be for many decades. Once that happens, we will keep the series running, but we will change the article format. In these articles, we will take an antique nautical map & analyze it in its entirety. These maps will not strictly be on open oceanic waters, they may be on rivers or occasionally, bays. We will also discuss the methods that may have been used to make the map, considering the period, & the country of origin. These maps will come from a variety of sources, though they will mainly come from Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. These maps will come from varying time periods, & will not be in any particular historical order. Today’s map up for analysis is an antique chart of the North Sea. The Map Since this map is in English, there is no need for translation. An Analysis Of The Map This map was made originally in 1840, but it was later corrected in 1843. It was made by M. Blachford, & was sold originally by Blachford & Imray. Maps Of Antiquity is currently selling this map. This map was most certainly made in England. The map encompasses the North Sea, also known as the German Sea. The map is positioned in such a way that the coasts of the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Norway, England, Scotland, & the Shetland Islands coastal areas are all visible. This is a sailing map, so there are no reasons for any marine creature zones to be labeled. Since the map has many overlapping lines on the sea area, it is hard to tell whether any islands were left off or not. For this reason, we cannot properly assess the accuracy of this map. This map is most likely in a large collection of European maps by Blachford & Co., but we cannot tell if it is, we can only hypothesize. The map has no weather or tidal patterns displayed on the map either, due to technology at the time not being very reliable at tracking these sorts of things. There are no prominent terrestrial topographical features on the map. This map is uncolored, most likely for simplicity. This map was not made for militia use, & was most likely never used for militaristic purposes. Aside from the northern sea, the map does not Center end on any lighthouse or country in particular. Additionally, no coves are labeled on the map. There are no rapids or dangerous areas labeled directly on the map, for unknown reasons. Due to the time & location of the map making, it was most certainly made using lithography. In the lithographic method, the artist will draw directly onto a printing surface, such as zinc, or copper, until they are satisfied with the drawing. After this, the surface will be covered with a chemical etch, which will bond it to the surface. With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate & repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from deviating. After the map wanted is inked, the paper is laid over it & covered with a tympan, & the tympan is pressed down. Finally, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho press. Afterward, an exact copy of whatever was supposed to be printed is revealed. Directories / Credits All credit for this map analyzed today goes to Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. To purchase this map, any other maps, or any other cartographic objects, please visit mapsofantiquity.com. To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Maps Of Antiquity, as we do not have a partnership with them. Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

  • Ode To Oceanography: An Antique Nautical Map Of Cape Cod

    This article is the seventh installment in the Ode To Oceanography series. This series will publish on the 15th of every month, until we run out of antique nautical maps to analyze, though that will not be for many decades. Once that happens, we will keep the series running, but we will change the article format. In these articles, will take an antique nautical map & analyze it in its entirety. These maps will not strictly be on open oceanic waters, they may be on rivers or occasionally, bays. We will also discuss the methods that may have been used to make the map, considering the time period, & the country of origin. These maps will come from a variety of sources, though they will mainly come from Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. These maps will come from varying time periods, & will not be in any particular historical order. Today’s Map up for Analysis is an antique map of Cape Cod, & Provincetown. Cape Cod Bay is approximately 604 square miles, though the map does not cover the entire bay. All around, the map is in marvelous condition. There is no curling damage, or any damage at all really. In this article we will discuss the map itself & the translation of certain sections of the map, & a surface level analysis on this antique nautical map. With that being said, let us delve into the Beautiful, Cape Cod Bay. The Map Since the map is in English, there is no need to translate it. An Analysis of the Map This map was made in the year 1836, by the United States Topographical Engineers. This map was found by Maps Of Antiquity, & where they originally found it is unknown. This map does not have any marien creature zones outlined on it. Though it is not labelled, the map has Herring Cove Beach displayed on it near the curl of the cape. The map is not very accurate about the lakes near Provincetown, but the proportions of the ocean are very accurate. We suspect that this map was a part of a specific collection, though we cannot say for certain. This map does not have a specific name. It does not have any coves labelled on it, but the coves are there, just unlabelled. The map has many lakes outlined quite prominently, as Provincetown was built near at least 17 lakes. The map is uncoloured, most likely for simplicity of the map. It is unclear whether or not this map was used for militaristic purposes, but it was made for such purposes. The map is primarily centered on Provincetown, not any lighthouses along the coast. Since the map was made in 1836, it is almost guaranteed that it was made using lithography. Especially since it was made by the United States Topographical Engineering Corps, the chances of it being made with an advanced for the time technique were higher. In the lithographic method, the artist will draw directly onto a printing surface, such as zinc, or copper, until they are satisfied with the drawing. After this, the surface will be covered with a chemical etch, which will bond it to the surface. With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate & repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from deviating. After the map wanted is inked, the paper is laid over it & covered with a tympan, & the tympan is pressed down. Finally, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho press. Afterwards, an exact copy of whatever was supposed to be printed is revealed. Directories / Credits All credit for this map analyzed today goes to Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. To purchase this map, any other maps, or any other cartographic objects, please visit mapsofantiquity.com. To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Maps Of Antiquity, as we do not have a partnership with them. Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

  • Ode To Oceanography: An Antique Nautical Chart Of The Gulf Of Venice, Italy

    This article is the sixth instalment in the Ode To Oceanography Series. This series will publish on the 15th of every month, until we run out of antique nautical maps to analyze, though that will not be for many decades. Once that happens, we will keep the series running, but we will change the article format. In these articles, will take an antique nautical map & analyze it in its entirety. These maps will not strictly be on open oceanic waters, they may be on rivers or occasionally, bays. We will also discuss the methods that may have been used to make the map, considering the time period, & the country of origin. These maps will come from a variety of sources, though they will mainly come from Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. These maps will come from varying time periods, & will not be in any particular historical order. Today’s Map up for analysis, is an antique nautical chart of the Gulf of Venice. The gulf of Venice is approximately 75 miles wide, & is approximately 125 feet deep on average. The map is in wonderful condition, apart from some curling in the upper side of the map. In this article we will discuss the map itself & the translation of certain sections of the map, & a surface level analysis on this antique nautical map. With that being said, let us delve into the Venetian Gulf. The Map This map is in french. The front emblem says “Carte Reduite De Golfe de Venise”, which translates to “Reduced Map Of The Gulf Of Venice”. This map is specifically off the gulf, & all islands or other land areas are left off the map. An Analysis of the Map This map was made in the year 1820, by Captain Gauttier. The map was found by Maps Of Antiquity, & the original owner of the map is unknown. This map was most likely made in france, due to the map being in french. This map has no rapids, or topographical features outlined on the map. Additionally, there are no marine creature areas outlined on the map. The map is extremely proportionally accurate. As far as we are aware the map is not a part of a specific collection, nor does it have a particular name. This map remains uncoloured, most likely for simplicity the map is not centered on any country, island, or light house. It was also not made or used for any militaristic purposes. Due to the time that the map was made, it is hard to say exactly how it was made. In the year 1820, lithography began becoming commercially popular, which makes the chances of it being made by they method more likely. Since we do not know what country this map was made in, we do not know if lithography had become commercially popular in that area yet. Lithography is still the most likely option, but by a slimmer margin. The first technique that will be discussed is the bronze slab technique. In this technique, there are 5 jobs, the mapmaker, the engraver, the printer, the papermaker, & the colourist. The first step in this process is that the mapmaker will go out & make a hand-drawn map of the area where the map will encompass. Effectively, the mapmaker is the informant who makes the first copy. After this, the engraver will create a design of the map in reverse on a metal, usually copper, surface. Usually there would only be 1-2 plates used, however it differs depending on the size of the map. After the copper plate is made, the printer will heat the copper panel, & then proceed to lather it with ink. They will then wipe the copper panel down to the point where ink is only on the grooves of the panel. Then after this, the printer will press damp paper onto the ink, & hang it up to dry. To conclude, the colourist will touch up the map & decorate it by adding in details, such as shorelines & shoals. In the second method, the artist will draw directly onto a printing surface, such as zinc, or copper, until they are satisfied with the drawing. After this, the surface will be covered with a chemical etch, which will bond it to the surface. With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate & repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from deviating. After the map wanted is inked, the paper is laid over it & covered with a tympan, & the tympan is pressed down. Finally, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho press. Afterwards, an exact copy of whatever was supposed to be printed is revealed. Directories / Credits All credit for this map analyzed today goes to Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. To purchase this map, any other maps, or any other cartographic objects, please visit mapsofantiquity.com. To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Maps Of Antiquity, as we do not have a partnership with them Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

  • Ode To Oceanography: An Antique Of The Lesser Antilles, & Guyana

    This article is the fifth instalment in the Ode to Oceanography series. This series will publish on the 15th of every month, until we run out of antique nautical maps to analyze, though that will not be for many decades. Once that happens, we will keep the series running, but we will change the article format. In these articles, will take an antique nautical map & analyze it in its entirety. These maps will not strictly be on open oceanic waters, they may be on rivers or occasionally, bays. We will also discuss the methods that may have been used to make the map, considering the time period, & the country of origin. These maps will come from a variety of sources, though they will mainly come from Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. These maps will come from varying time periods, & will not be in any particular historical order. Today’s Map up for analysis, is an antique map of the Caribbean Isles. It encompasses approximately 2/3rds of the Caribbean Sea. The map is in magnificent condition, aside from some yellow discolouration in the upper right corner, & the upper edges being curled from moisture. In this article we will discuss the map itself & the translation of certain sections of the map, & a surface level analysis on this antique nautical map. With that being said, let us delve into the waters of the Caribbean. The Map Since the map is in English, there is no need to translate it, because this is the English version of our newsletter. An Analysis of the Map This map was made in 1807, by Irish Mapmaker, Robert Blachford. This map was found by the Maps of Antiquity company, & the original owner beyond that is unknown. It is unknown which country this was made in, as at the time, a multitude of European countries occupied the Caribbean, making it hard to determine which which is the one that it originated from. This area encompasses not only the lesser Antilles, but it also encompasses Guyana & North Venezuela. This map has no sea creature migration zones outlined on it. The map is extremely accurate, & shows the majority of the Caribbean islands, even the minor outlying islands. This map has no official name or cartographic collection that it is a part of. This map has very few topographical features, aside from The Orinoco River, & a few other Rivers. This map is uncoloured, for reasons unknown. It was not made for, or most likely used for Militaristic purposes. The map is centered on the Caribbean Sea, but not any specific country in it. This map has no rapids, underwater canyons, or things of such a nature. Since Lithography only became commercially popular in the 1820’s, & the map was made in 1807, lithography had not become commercially popular yet. Lithography was invented in 1798, so there is still a chance that it was made using that technique. The first technique it could have been made with was lithographic printing. In this method the artist will draw directly onto a printing surface, such as zinc, or copper, until they are satisfied with the drawing. After this, the surface will be covered with a chemical etch, which will bond it to the surface. With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate & repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from deviating. After the map wanted is inked, the paper is laid over it & covered with a tympan, & the tympan is pressed down. Finally, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho press. Afterwards, an exact copy of whatever was supposed to be printed is revealed. The second method possible, is the engraving Method. This method was not to traditional at the time, though it could be done, it was not as common. In this technique, there are 5 jobs, the mapmaker, the engraver, the printer, the papermaker, & the colourist. The first step in this process is that the mapmaker will go out & make a hand-drawn map of the area where the map will encompass. Effectively, the mapmaker is the informant who makes the first copy. After this, the engraver will create a design of the map in reverse on a metal, usually copper, surface. Usually there would only be 1-2 plates used, however it differs depending on the size of the map. After the copper plate is made, the printer will heat the copper panel, & then proceed to lather it with ink. They will then wipe the copper panel down to the point where ink is only on the grooves of the panel. Then after this, the printer will press damp paper onto the ink, & hang it up to dry. To conclude, the colourist will touch up the map & decorate it by adding in details, such as shorelines & shoals. The first technique is more likely, as it could be done more easily & in higher quality. Directories / Credits All credit for this map analyzed today goes to Maps Of Antiquity, a wonderful New England map shop. To purchase this map, any other maps, or any other cartographic objects, please visit mapsofantiquity.com. To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Maps Of Antiquity, as we do not have a partnership with them. Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

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