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U.S. Coast Survey Report charts of California waters A selection of charts from the annual reports of the U.S. Coast Survey as surveyed and published from 1851, shortly after California’s admission to the Union, until 1865. The United States lost no time in conducting accurate marine explorations of the new acquisition resulting from the war with Mexico. While some of the charts are preliminary in nature, showing only the most prominent features, they were the foundation for some of the most compelling charts ever produced. The quality of the final product is shown in some of the fine harbor charts, such as the example of Monterey Bay. [Click to enlarge]
The finished charts in the Reports were issued just before the “charts for use” were made available. Among other reasons, they were distributed so that a final appraisal could be made at the local level. The charts in the Reports were printed on mediocre paper that was highly susceptible to acidification. As such they had an almost ephemeral quality and weren’t made to last. After all, it is customary for charts to be replaced and the old ones destroyed as new information became available. Often, charts from the reports exhibit serious flaws, such as serious browning at the folds, fold breaks, spotting, foxing and tears.
All of the charts offered are original, with the date of publication noted. The have been selected for their above average quality. All been cleaned and deacidified. In many cases, they have been backed on rice paper or linen when noted. Although most all US Coast Survey Report charts were uncolored, some of those offered have been hand tinted to highlight their features.
Bodega Bay 16½ x 13”. Full detail; setting for Hitchcock's "Birds", (backed, slight fold browning) {17629} $90 California: Point Pinos to Bodega Head. 1865. 39 x 28”. Preliminary chart showing coastal outline; soundings offshore and in San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, Monterey Bay & Tamales Bay; tide schedules, light list. (backed on linen; some horizontal creasing; few faint browned spots) {17643} Sold Catalina Harbor, Santa Catalina, Calif. 1852. 15 x 10½” . Full detail; with view. (margin extended, backed, tinted) {17617} $90 - another. Sold. Crecent City Harbor. 12 x 16”. Full detail. (backed) {17620} $55 Channel Island Harbors, California. 1852. 17 x 13½”. 3 charts: Cuyler's Harbor on San Miguel Island, San Clemente Harbor (Northwest Harbor), Prisoner's Harbor on Santa Cruz Island. Limited detail; views. (backed, tinted) {17621} $70 Eureka & Humboldt Bay 17½ x 14”. Full detail; view. (backed, tinted) {17625} $70 - another. (backing strengthens folds with fill, tinted) {17624} $55 Mendocini, Crescent City Harbors, Calif. 1854. 18 x 14”. With Port Orford, Oregon. Preliminary harbor surveys. (iron spot) {17619} $60 Monterey Harbor13 x 11½”. Full detail; with view, sailing directions. {17612} $120 - another. (backed, tinted, slight browned fold) {17611} $95 Point Conception 7½ x 6½”. Sketch. (backed; tinted) {17603} $35 - another. (backed, slight fold browning; tinted) {17602} $30 Point Pinos & Monterey Bay 7½ x 9”. Pacific Grove. Light house sites, with Monterey Bay sketch, (backed, vertical fold evident; tinted) {17605} $45 - another. (backed, vertical fold evident; tinted) {17604} $45 Point Reyes & Drake's Bay, California. 1855. 8½ x 10” Good land detail. {17608} $60 Point Sal, California. 1867. 17½ x 15”. Some detail. (backed, folds apparent, a wrinkle; tinted) {17622} $40 San Francisco Bay 7½ x 13”. Sketch of the Bay area. (backed, tinted) {17607} $40 - another. (mends, backed, fold shows; tinted) {17606} $25 San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, etc., CA. 1852 . 17 x 13½”. 4 harbor reconnaissance plans: San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, San Simeon, Coxo. (backed, tinted) {17623} $60 San Pedro Harbor, California. 1852. 9½ x 13 ½”. Harbor reconnaissance; with view. Very good condition; rarely so. (backed, tinted) {17615} $110 Santa Cruz12 x 12½”. 2 plans, full detail, with view. (backed) {17616} $110 Trinidad Bay, California. 1851. 8 x 10½”. Full detail, streets show, with view. (backed, fold shows at margin. {17613} $45 West Coast: California & Oregon, Monterey to the Columbia River. 1851. 3 joined sheets, 51 x 17½”. Coastal reconnaissance, shows major features; views; sailing directions. (backed on linen; some horizontal creasing) {LCC} $175 |
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