“A glass of wine to YOU sir” CHARTS

[Michael Heintz]

Speaking of “A glass of wine to YOU sir” & Code Flags, here is another subject for you history buffs. CHARTS

I own a collection of charts, the “ J.F.W. Des Barres “ “THE ATLANTIC NEPTUNE”

“ the most splendid collection of charts, plans, and views ever published. Executed at the expense of the British Government for use by the Royal Navy. The ATLANTIC NEPTUNE was the first great marine atlas of views and charts of Novia Scotia, the Gulf, and River St. Lawrence, New England, and New York southward to the Caribbean then westward to the mouth of the Mississippi. Des Barres published the first charts in 1774 on the eve of our War for Independence.

In many instances the charts contained in the Neptune were the earliest published detailed surveys of North America and were of such quality they remained in general use as standard charts of the East coast for over fifty years.

Alas not many many of these originals exists, due to hard use and battles, where the first thing destroyed if captured were these charts.

One may occasionally find Des Barres’ individual charts, plans, or views on the open market, but their price reflects their rarity and complete NEPTUNES, or even contiguous charts, are all but impossible to acquire.

In 1966, Bare Publishers received permission from the Peabody Museum at Salem, Massachusetts, to copy an original and complete ATLANTIC NEPTUNE which had been donated to the museum. Barre Publishers arranged with the Meriden Gravure Company to reproduce by offset lithography a Facsimile Edition of the bulk of the charts, plans, and views from Canada and Nova Scotia to the Gulf Coast. After reproducing sheets with black ink, each sheet was magnificently hand waterclored. The magnitude of this publishing effort caused Barre Publishers and the Meriden Gravure to group the work into Geographic Seris or sets with each edition limited to 500 copies. Each Seris was housed in a lavish blue silk folio or slip case, foil embossed with fancy scroll work and containing twenty to twenty five 23”x34” charts, views, titles or plans on the finest Arches rag paper.

Between 1966 and 1969 these series quickly sold out. To find a complete Neptune is impossible. I own Seris 1 a complete set covering the coast of New England. This set is dear to me as it is the area I sailed as a young boy with my dad. Fortunately I was able to share these with my dad before he passed away last winter.

I have been thinking of ways to “share” these wonderful charts. It is obvious that there are a few history buffs among us in the Cape Dory family.

My intention is not to sell these nor make any money from them, but to get them out for people to enjoy. One thought, because I own and run a Digital Studio, is to reproduce then, perhaps in a smaller size to be more manageable, I could do this on any medium, including outputting “Iris” prints on Arches watercolor paper, or perhaps just post them on the web for all to view.

I’m looking for any input or thoughts on this matter. It might be especially interesting to my fellow members of the NE Cape Dory Association.



mzenith@aol.com

[Brian Hickson]

Mike,

You're not kidding when you say the price is reflected on the chart's rarity. The Owl at the Bridge Bookstore in Cranston, RI; has "A Chart of The Harbour Of Rhode Island And Narragansett Bay" which was only one chart of the complete set of 176, for sale at $4500.

The description given of the chart is interesting, as it details the position of ships during the seige of Newport, locations where they were sunk, and encampments of troops ashore. To be able to view the charts would be very interesting.

[Michael Heintz]

Brian,
You are correct sir!!!

Brian,
You are correct sir!!!

The descriptions on the charts are interesting as they show soundings and depths of which I can only imagine were long boats going out and throwing the lead to find channels.

These charts are a fascinating study of the first surveys of North America. Especially as they pertained to the War of Independence.

I will continue to investigate the ways in which I can share these great documents.



mzenith@aol.com

[Ken Coit]

Wow! They sound wonderful.

Are they in the public domain or does Barre Publishers or someone else own the copyrights?

They would make a wonderful donation to a place like Mystic. I am sure they can arrange for their safekeeping, proper tax recognition, lifetime access, etc.

I look forward to seeing them in whatever form I can as I am a New Englander myself.

Thanks,

Ken Coit, ND7N
S/V Parfait
Raleigh, NC

Brian,
You are correct sir!!!

Brian,
You are correct sir!!!

The descriptions on the charts are interesting as they show soundings and depths of which I can only imagine were long boats going out and throwing the lead to find channels.

These charts are a fascinating study of the first surveys of North America. Especially as they pertained to the War of Independence.

I will continue to investigate the ways in which I can share these great documents.

parfait@nc.rr.com