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This is a rare English sea chart covering the approaches to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, published by Laurie & Whittle in 1798, based in part of observations made by Captain George Lewis in 1762 and Captain Richardson in 1793.
The main map shows the run from the Straits of Babelmandel past Isle Perim, the Eight Brothers rocks and the African coast of Abyssinia at Rahayta, then eastward along Arabia from Mocha, Cape Babelmandel and Aden to Macula, Sahar (Sharma), Keshen (Qishn), Cape Morebat, the Gulf of Curia-Muria with its rocky islands, and finally Cape Chansely. The opposite shore of Africa and the Island of Socotra—with Tamrida, Diada and the western Watering Place—fill the lower half of the sheet. Details regarding soundings, sandbanks, reefs and radiating rhumb-lines guide the navigator.
Three large insets add close-up detail. Mocha Road by Capt. Richardson, 1793 pinpoints the Grand Mosque, North and South Forts, the English Factory, custom-house, landing-place and safe anchorages. A Plan of the Harbour of Keshin or Kisseen (after Niebuhr) charts the small cove on the Hadramaut coast. A Plan of the Watering Place on the Island of Socotra—from Capt. Blake—locates the well and anchorage. Coastal profiles of Aden and the Two Brothers islands, “Directions for going into Mocha Road,” and Lieutenant George Lewis’s remarks on Morebat and the Curia-Muria group complete this practical guide to one of the world’s most important sea-lanes.
Rarity
The chart is very rare.
OCLC locates 1 example at the National Library of Australia, bound into an example of the East-India pilot, for the navigation of the East-Indies and oriental seas, within the limits of the East-India Company.
RBH locates one dealer catalog record: Cartographic Arts, 1994.
Robert Laurie (ca. 1755-1836) and James Whittle (1757-1818) formed their Fleet Street, London-based firm upon the 1794 death of their employer Robert Sayer, himself one of the dominant print and mapmakers of the last half of the 18th century.
Laurie & Whittle started managing Sayer's business as early as 1787. They took over all managerial duties when Sayer's health flagged in 1792, and they changed the imprint in 1794 upon his death. Sayer left the two a 21-year lease on the shop (at £100 a year) and on Sayer's Bolt Court premises, as well as an option to acquire stock and equipment at a preferential price of £5,000 payable over three years.
Robert Laurie retired from the firm in 1812, and his role was assumed by his son, Richard Holmes Laurie (1777-1858). The younger Laurie worked with James Whittle until the latter died in 1818. After R. H. Laurie died in 1858, Alexander George Findlay, FRGS (1812-1875) purchased the firm from his daughters. The firm continues today under another name, specializing in yachting charts.
Laurie & Whittle were prolific print and map publishers, and throughout their careers, they produced numerous very important and rare works. They carried on Robert Sayer's atlas business and were responsible for editions of The Complete East-India Pilot and The American Atlas.
