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Holy-Head by Capt Greenville Collins

£90.00 Approx $113.64, €105.26

Code: 53893



Date 1779

Nautical chart. The map shows  depths, low water mark, sunk rock and 3 elevations for use in navigating in sight of the shore. This map has a scale of miles in the lower left corner with dolphins and two figures, one holding a cross and the other a snake. Copper engraved map with later hand colouring.  Overall size : 63.1 cms x 52cms; image size:563mm x 444mm.  The title and dedication are in the bottom left corner in an oval open at the top, between two female figures standing on a pedestal (one holding a cross and one a snake).  The scale is on the pedestal.  Two coast profiles are at the top to right of centre unframed.  a second panel containing another profile is in the bottom right corner.  The words Thomas Hewtson in the dedication in the first edition of 1693 were replaced by William Wright for State 2 in 1693 and for this third state most of the plate has been re-cut.  Ten centimetres of strengthening at bottom of margin on verso - see photograph- else good condition.

The Reign of Charles II was interspersed with wars against the Dutch, principally fought on the high seas.  It was soon realised that the Dutch navy had access to better sea charts of English waters than the English themselves.  Accordingly, in 1681 Charles II commissioned Captain Greenville Collins to make a survey of the coasts of Great Britain, a task accomplished between 1681 and 1687.  During this survey Collins completed 120 manuscript draughts, of which forty-seven were engraved for the Coasting Pilot.  The engraving was carried out by some of the leading practitioners of the art, principally John Harris Sr and Herman Moll with James Collins and Nicholas Yeates engraving most of the cartouches..see Wardington Library Sale Catalogue .  Map Collectors’ Circle no 58