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Working Sea Charts

Separately issued sea charts were the charts that allowed ships--the primary means of commercial, private and military transportation until the mid-nineteenth century--to navigate the seas and oceans of the world. These were the charts that were used by explorers, merchantmen, and naval captains and thus which oiled the wheels of history. Their desirability is enhanced by their great scarcity. This has two main causes. First, any sheet of paper being used on board a ship at sea was often subject to damage or even destruction. As well, it has always been considered important to destroy any out-of-date chart in case someone inadvertently might use it. An out-of-date chart can be extremely dangerous for ship and crew, so most were destroyed as soon as updated charts became available.

Go to a short history of sea charts

New England

A George Eldrige chart of the waters around Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island, including the Cape Cod coastline. It is filled with information on soundings, islands, shoals, and compass bearings. Also includes sailing directions, notes on currents and compass bearings. A large and striking chart of these important waters. $3,500

Benjamin Peirce. "Narragansett Bay." Washington: U.S. Coast Survey, 1873. Separately issued U.S. coastal chart, backed on linen and rolled as for use. With typical waterstains and small spots and edge wear. Some old mildew stains. Overall, in very good condition for such a working chart.

A U.S. Coast Survey chart showing the entire Narragansett Bay, from Newport to Providence. Soundings and other navigational details are precisely depicted throughout the map. Interior information is shown in a narrow band along the coasts and includes street plans for the towns and cities lining the bay. $650

Benjamin Peirce. "Narragansett Bay." Washington: U.S. Coast Survey, 1873, corrected to 1886. Separately issued U.S. coastal chart, rolled for use. Very good condition.

Another example of the chart above, corrected to 1886. $725

A.D. Bache. "Coast Chart No. 112. From Muskeget Channel to Buzzard's Bay and Entrance to Vineyard Sound Mass." Washington: U.S. Coast Survey, Oct. 29, 1889, corrected to Feb. 8, 1890. Separately issued U.S. coastal chart; sheet 112. 37 1/2 x 26 1/2. Engraved by G. McCoy, J. Enthffer, J. Knight and G.B Metzeroth. Hand highlighting for lights. Ring stain in Buzzard's Bay; otherwise, very good condition.

A highly detailed chart showing Martha's Vineyard and the surrounding waters, including Buzzard's Bay, a fine example of the output of the U.S. Coast Survey. This is the middle sheet of a three sheet series of the southern Massachusetts coast, this sheet depicting from New Bedford to Hyannis Port. It was first issued Oct. 29, 1889, and corrected to Feb. 8, 1890. This separately issued chart was intended for use for navigation and it contains all navigational information necessary for a ship's captain. Soundings and other navigational details are precisely depicted throughout the map. Interior information is shown in a narrow band along the Massachusetts' coast and for the entire interior of the island. $750

Mid-Atlantic

A highly detailed chart showing New York Harbor and Bay, a fine example of the output of the U.S. Coast Survey. This chart shows evidence of heavy use, perhaps being used by a ship based in New York City. Soundings and other navigational details are precisely depicted throughout the map. Also included are sailing directions and tables on tides and currents. Precise and minute interior information is given for Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. $1,200

Under the direction of F.R. Hassler and A.D. Bache. Set of three separately issued charts of "Long Island Sound." Washington: U.S. Coast Survey, 1855-corrected to 1878/80. Each ca. 24 1/2 x 35. Engravings. With some spots, light staining and creases, but overall very good condition. With stamp; of "Michael Rupp & Co, Chronometer Makers." Ref: P.J. Guthorn, United States Coastal Charts 1783-1861. Pp. 65f.

Three extremely detailed U.S. Coastal Survey charts which when lined up delineate the entire Long Island Sound, from Block Island to the East River, and including the waterways around Manhattan. They present the finest depiction of Long Island Sound available in the late nineteenth century. $3,600

Under the direction of F.R. Hassler. "Eastern Part of Long Island Sound." Washington: U.S. Coast Survey, 1855-corrected to 1880. 24 1/2 x 34 1/2. Engraving. With some surface blemishes and pencil notations, and 9 inch repaired tear. Overall very good condition. With stamp; of "Michael Rupp & Co, Chronometer Makers."

A U.S. Coastal Survey chart of the eastern part of Long Island Sound, one part of the three sheet set (cf. above). $850

"New York Entrance." Washington: U.S. Coast Survey, 1875, corrected to 1884. Separately issued U.S. coastal chart. 31 1/4 x 38 1/2. Lithograph. Some manuscript navigational marks. Otherwise, excellent condition.

A highly detailed chart showing the entrance to New York Harbor, another good example of the output of the U.S. Coast Survey. This separately issued chart shows the approach to the Verrazzano Narrows, with the New Jersey coast in the lower left, Staten Island in the upper left, and the southwestern tip of Long Island (including Coney Island) in the upper right. The chart was intended for use for navigation (price 50 cents) and it contains all navigational information necessary for a ship's captain. Soundings and other navigational details are precisely depicted throughout the map. Also included are sailing directions and tables on tides, currents, and lighthouses. It is particularly interesting for the precise and highly detailed information of the interior of the coasts shown, with fields, roads, building and topography clearly delineated. $1,200

George Eldridge. "Eldridge's Chart No. 11. Delaware Bay and River. From the United States Coast and George Eldridge's Surveys." Boston: S. Thaxter & Son, 1885. Copyright 1880 by George Eldridge & S. Thaxter Cushing. Separately issued blueback chart backed on linen for rolling. 46 3/4 x 29 7/8. Lithograph. Hand highlights of lighthouses and beacons. Some scattered spots and short tears at edges. Lower right corner bent, but intact. Manuscript pencil navigation notes off Cape Henlopen. Overall, very good condition. With original paper labels on verso.

A George Eldrige chart, the 1885 edition of his Delaware Bay chart (No. 11) first issued in 1880. The chart shows the Delaware Bay from its mouth to Philadelphia. It includes extensive soundings, sailing directions, navigation notes, and information on tides, buoys, and currents. To keep the chart simple, topographical information has been excluded. On the verso of the map is the label for the chart as well as an advertising label for Eldridge's charts. $1,600

F.R. Hassler & A.D. Bache. "Chesapeake Bay From Head of Bay to Magothy River." Washington: U.S. Coastal Survey, 1863, corrected to 1885. Separately issued U.S. coastal chart; sheet 36. 29 1/4 x 37 1/2. Engraving by F. Dankworth, A. Rollé, J. Knight and G.B. Metzeroth. With label from Arthur L. Hopkins, Bangor, Maine. Excellent condition.

A U.S. Coastal Survey chart showing part of the northern-most part of the Chesapeake Bay, the top section in a series of charts showing the Chesapeake Bay. It was first issued in 1863 and corrected to 1886. Interior information is given along the coasts, with indications of fields, woods, roads, and communities, including Havre de Grace and Baltimore. $1,200

"Delaware River Wilmington to Philadelphia. Washington: U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey, Oct 1936, corrected to February 9, 1937. Separately issued sea chart. 31 3/4 x 43 1/4. Printed in color. With folds and some staining, but overall very good.

A early 20th century sea chart of the Delaware River from Wilmington (shown in part) to Philadelphia (the southern half of which is depicted). With extensive information extending one to two miles inland from the river. $400

Southern

This rare example of a Blunt "blue back" chart shows the Atlantic coast from just north of Cape Fear to just south of St. Augustine. This chart was one of a series of charts of the American coast that were both sold separately (as here) or as part of an atlas. The two inset charts were both based on official surveys, indicative of the close relationship maintained by the Blunt firm with the U.S. Government surveyors. As is typical of such working charts, this chart has the precise detail of lights, soundings, shoals, and the like. $3,200

A.D. Bache. "Charleston Harbor and its Approaches." Washington: U.S. Coastal Survey, 1866. Separately issued U.S. coastal chart. 30 1/2 x 31. Old repaired tear at left. Edge wear at top. Typical creases and folds for working chart, but overall very good condition.

A U.S. Coastal Survey chart Charleston Harbor with excellent detail. This separately issued chart was intended for use for navigation and it contains all navigational information necessary for a ship's captain. Soundings and other navigational details are precisely depicted on the map and text is included of sailing directions and notes on tides, currents, etc. Interior information along the coasts on either side of the harbor, and the city of Charleston is neatly laid out. This map came out just after the Civil War and both Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie are indicated. $950

"East Coast of North America." Washington: Hydrographic Department, Navy Department, Mar. 1870 to Jan. 1884. Separately issued U.S. Navy chart; backed on linen and rolled. 47 x 31. Lithograph. Hand highlights for lighthouses and beacons. Considerable surface wear and manuscript navigational markings. Some crumpling of margin in the top left. Otherwise, very good condition.

A U.S. Navy chart of the southeast coast of the U.S. from Cape Hatteras to Cape Canaveral. The coast is impressively delineated. $750

C.P. Patterson. "From Sapelo Island Georgia To Amerlia Island Florida." Washington: U.S. Coastal Survey, 1876, corrected to 1885. Separately issued U.S. coastal chart; sheet 57. 41 X 32. Lithograph. Very good condition.

A U.S. Coastal Survey chart showing the southeastern coast line around the Georgia-Florida border, a fine example of the output of the U.S. Coast Survey. It was first issued in 1876 and corrected to 1885. Interior information is given along the coast, with indications of fields, woods, roads, and communities, including Brunswick. $475

"General Chart of the Coast. No. XI. From Cape Hatteras to Cape Romain." Washington: U.S. Coastal Survey, 1882, printed Feb. 18, 1888. Separately issued U.S. coastal chart. 29 1/4 x 38 1/4. Lithograph. Hand highlights for lighthouses and beacons. Some crumpling to top margin. Some stains. Some manuscript navigational markings. Otherwise, very good condition.

A U.S. Coastal Survey chart showing from Cape Romain to Cape Hatteras. The nature of the land right along the coast is clearly depicted, including small images of Wilmington and Georgetown. Tables are included on the tides and lighthouses/beacons. $675

Charles Mahon. "Atlantic Coast of the United States. Cape Hatteras to Cape Canaveral." Washington: Hydrographic Department, Navy Department, 1884, to November 1889. Separately issued U.S. Navy chart. 44 1/2 x 29 3/4. Engraved by H.C. Evans. Hand highlights for lighthouses and beacons. A few spots and manuscript navigational notes, but otherwise very good condition.

Another U.S. Navy chart of the southeast coast of the U.S. from Cape Hatteras to Cape Canaveral, a few years later than the issue above. A table about the lighthouses and beacons is included. $725

Washington: U.S. Coastal Survey, 1877, printed Oct. 3, 1889, corrected to Jan. 6, 1890. Some crumpling to bottom margin. Otherwise, very good condition. A slightly later edition of the chart above. $675

A.D. Bache. "Florida Reefs." Washington: U.S. Coastal Survey, 1862-1888. Set of four separately issued U.S. coastal charts; sheets 166-169. Each 39 1/4 x 31. Lithographs. Some stains and edge tears, but overall very good condition.

This set of four U.S. Coastal Survey charts of the Florida keys, was issued first in 1862, but updated and printed in 1888. Soundings and other navigational details are precisely depicted on the maps. The interiors of the keys are also shown with excellent clarity, exhibiting the different habitats of each island. Tables on each sheet provide information on lighthouses, tides, soundings, and so forth. $2,800

"Florida Reefs. Key West to Rebecca Shoal." Washington: U.S. Coastal Survey, 1880-1888.Separately issued U.S. coastal chart; sheet 170. 32 1/4 x 41. Lithograph. Some crumpling to top margin, and manuscript navigational notes. Overall, very good condition.

A U.S. Coastal Survey chart showing from Key West, past Marquesas Keys to Rebecca Shoal, issued first in 1880, but updated and printed in 1888. Soundings and other navigational details are copiously and accurately depicted on the map. The keys are shown with their habitats and Key West itself is shown with a precisely detailed plan. $750

A.D. Bache. "St. Simon's Sound Brunswick Harbor and Turtle River, Georgia." Washington: U.S. Coastal Survey, 1888. Separately issued U.S. coastal chart. 19 x 28 1/2. Engraving. Very good condition.

A highly detailed chart showing a small section of the Georgia coast, with St. Simon's Sound leading in to the Turtle River and the harbor at Brunsweick, a fine example of the output of the U.S. Coast Survey. It was first issued in 1888, with this chart printed on October 20, 1888. Interior information is given along the coast, with indications of fields, woods, roads, and the town of Brunswick neatly laid out with good detail. $450

A.D. Bache. "St. Simon's Sound. Brunswick Harbor and Turtle River." Washington: U.S. Coastal Survey, 1889, corrected to 1890. Separately issued U.S. coastal chart. 19 x 29. Lithograph. Some creases from rolling; otherwise, very good condition.

A updated, later edition of the U.S. Coastal Survey chart showing Brunswick Harbor and St. Simon's Sound in Georgia. It was first issued in 1889 and corrected to 1890. Interior information is given along the coast, with a carefully detailed plan of Brunswick. $450

A.D. Bache & Benjamin Peirce. "Coast Chart No. 155. Coast of South Carolina and Georgia…including Port Royal Sound and Savannah River." Washington: U.S. Coastal Survey, 1877, printed Oct. 3, 1889, corrected to Jan. 6, 1890. Separately issued U.S. coastal chart; sheet 155. 32 1/2 x 40. Lithograph. Some crumpling to bottom margin. Otherwise, very good condition.

A U.S. Coastal Survey chart showing the southeastern coast of the United States from Skiddaway Island to St. Helena Island, and including the Port Royal Sound and the Savannah River; a fine example of the output of the U.S. Coast Survey. It was first issued in 1877 and corrected to 1890. This separately issued chart was intended for use for navigation and it contains all navigational information necessary for a ship's captain. Soundings and other navigational details are precisely depicted on the map. Interior information is shown for the coastal lands and includes depictions of Beaufort and Savannah. $675

"Coast Chart No. 156. From Savannah to Sapelo Island, Georgia." Washington: U.S. Coastal Survey, printed Nov 16, 1889, corrected to April 8, 1890. Separately issued U.S. coastal chart, no. 156. 41 x 32 1/4. Lithograph. Some crumpling and tears to margins. Otherwise, very good condition.

A U.S. Coastal Survey chart showing the Georgia coast from Savannah to Sapelo Island. The nature of the land along the coast is clearly depicted, including a pan of Savannah. Tables are included on the tides and lighthouses/beacons. $650

"Coast Chart No. 145. Cape Hatteras to Ocracoke Inlet. North Carolina." Washington: U.S. Coast Survey, 1885, printed June 10, 1890, corrected to July 10, 1890. Separately issued U.S. coastal chart; sheet 145. 32 x 40 1/2. Lithograph. Some manuscript navigational markings. Very good condition.

A U.S. Coastal Survey chart showing North Carolina's outer banks from the Ocracoke Inlet to Cape Hatteras. It was first issued in 1885 and corrected to 1890. Textual information is included of lights, buoys, and tides. $575

C.P. Bolles. "Atlantic Coast of the United States Cape Canaveral to Havana with Straits of Florida and Bahama Banks." Washington: Hydrographic Office, Navy Department, 1886-April 1888. Separately issued U.S. Naval Chart. 26 x 43 3/8. Engraved by H.C. Evans and J.A. Waddey. Hand highlights of lighthouses and beacons. Very good condition.

A U.S. Coastal Survey of the southern Florida and extending to part of the northern coast of Cuba and the Bahama Islands, first issued in 1886 and updated to April 1888. The only interior information given is some topography for the smaller islands to aid in identification of location. $850

Gulf Coast

"Gulf Coast of the United States Key West to Rio Grande." Washington: U.S. Coastal Survey, 1863, corrected to 1882. Separately issued U.S. coastal chart. 27 1/2 x 50 1/2. Lithograph. Hand highlighting for lighthouses and beacons. Some light stains and manuscript navigational marks. Repaired tear at right and some vertical creases. Very good condition for working chart.

This U.S. Coastal Survey chart extends from Key West, up the western side of Florida and all the way across to the mouth of the Rio Grande. It was first issued in 1863 and corrected to 1882. This separately issued chart was intended for use for navigation and it contains all navigational information necessary for a ship's captain. Soundings and other navigational details are precisely depicted on the map and text on the tides, soundings, and lighthouses is included. Besides waterways extending inland from the coast and lighthouses, the only interior information is indications of various towns and cities. $1,400

"The North Coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Sheet 1. From St. Marks River to Barataria Bay." Washington: Hydrographic Office, Navy Department, April 1870, corrected to December 1880. Separately issued U.S. Naval Chart. 38 3/4 x 24 5/8. Lithograph. Hand highlights of lighthouses and beacons. Some light staining and surface soiling; a few navigational notes in pencil. Short tear at right and crease in center. Overall, very good condition for working chart.

A U.S. Navy chart of the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico extending from St. Marks in Florida to the mouth of the Mississippi (and just including New Orleans). This chart first issued in 1870 and updated to January 1878 and then again to December 1880. Soundings and other navigational details are precisely depicted on the map and tables about the lighthouses and beacons are included. No interior information is given, other than indications of towns and cities, including New Orleans and Mobile. $850

A.D. Bache. "Mobile Bay Alabama." Washington: U.S. Coastal Survey, 1856. Separately issued U.S. coastal chart. 38 x 28 1/8. Engraving by S. Siebert, F. Dankworth, J. Knight, J.H. Goldthwaite, J.N.N. Throop, & H.M. Knight. A few stains and tears in margins at top; else very good condition.

A U.S. Navy chart showing Mobile Bay. Interior information is given along the coasts, with indications of fields, woods, roads, and a finely engraved plan of Mobile itself. $650

A.D. Bache. "Mobile Bay Alabama." Washington: U.S. Coastal Survey, 1856, corrected to 1885. Separately issued U.S. coastal chart. 38 x 28 1/8. Engraving by S. Siebert, F. Dankworth, J. Knight, J.H. Goldthwaite, J.N.N. Throop, & H.M. Knight. Crease across middle; else very good condition.

A U.S. Navy chart showing Mobile Bay. It was first issued in 1856 and corrected to 1885. Interior information is given along the coasts, with indications of fields, woods, roads, and a finely engraved plan of Mobile itself. $650

West Indies

Charles Copley. "A General Chart of the West Indies, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea." [Northern Part] New York: Charles Copley & Sons, [1858]-1866. Copyright date 1858. Separately issued "blueback" chart; mounted to blue back paper and rolled. 29 1/2 x 69. Engraving by C.J. & F.S. Copley. With dots of color for light houses. With manuscript pencil, navigation marks, and a few stains. Wear in top right corner and repaired tears at left and right. Otherwise, very good condition. With original label on verso.

A rare example of a working blue-back sea chart by the Charles Copley & Sons firm. This is the top part of Copley's incredibly detailed chart of the West Indies, showing the coast line from Florida, around the gulf to the Yucatan (shown on this chart) and then through Central America to the Spanish Main (on the southern companion sheet). As is typical of such working charts, this chart has the precise detail of lights, soundings, shoals, and the like. Chart makers did not simply issue a map and then keep publishing the same thing over the years, for they had to be scrupulous to update their charts as new information became available. This chart, which first appeared in 1858, was updated by Copley to 1866. This example shows clear evidence of use, for penciled navigational lines are drawn both in the Gulf and to the north east of the Bahama Islands. An excellent example of a very rare and important map of the American coast. KL ON APPROVAL

"Gulf of Mexico, West Indies and Caribbean Sea." Washington: Hydrographic Office, Navy Department, July 1870. Separately issued U.S. Naval Chart. 24 x 84 1/2. Lithograph. A few stains.. Overall, very good condition for working chart..

A U.S. Navy chart of the southern Caribbean, extending form the south coast of Cuba to the north coast of South America, and from Vera Cruz to Windward Islands. The chart includes eight inset charts and some profiles to aid navigation. $750

C.P. Bolles. "The Great Bahama Bank." Washington: Hydrographic Department, Navy Department, Oct. 1869, to Aug. 1873. Separately issued U.S. Navy chart. 35 x 26. Lithograph. Paper toned, a number of short edge tears (repaired), and some manuscript navigational marks. Overall, very good condition.

A U.S. Navy chart of the Andros Island and the Great Bahama Bank to the west. This is a Naval chart first issued in 1884 and updated to November 1889. It was intended to be used by Naval captains and so contained all information that would be useful for navigation. Soundings and other navigational details are precisely depicted on the map. Soundings and other navigational details are precisely depicted on the map. Interior information is lacking for the island, but its entire coastline is carefully mapped. $650

Chas. Mahon. "West Indies. Eastern Part of Bahama Islands. Part of Cuba and North Coast of Santo Domingo." Washington: Hydrographic Department, Navy Department, Oct. 1885-November 1888. Separately issued U.S. Navy chart of the eastern Bahama Islands. 24 1/2 x 39. Engraved by H.C. Evans. Hand highlights for lighthouses and beacons. A few smudges, but otherwise very good condition.

A U.S. Coastal Survey first issued in October 1885 and updated to November 1888. The only interior information given is some topography to aid in identification of location. $750

"West Indies. Island of Cuba." Washington: Hydrographic Department, Navy Department, Feb. 1886, to July 1888. Separately issued U.S. Navy chart. 26 1/2 x 43 3/8. Engraved by H.C. Evans and H.T. Knight. Hand highlighting for light houses and beacons. With long tear at left and numerous tears and missing oval of paper (about 1" x 4" semicircle in printed area); all expertly repaired. Otherwise, very good condition. A U.S. Navy chart of Cuba and surrounding waters. On this chart the interior of the island is blank, except for a few topographical features visible from the sea which are indicated. The coastline is precisely delineated. $650

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