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Description

Detailed sea chart of the region from the southern part of Borneo, Sumatra and Pulau Bangka to Java, Bali and the islands to the east, published in London by Laurie & Whittle.

The chart includes sailing direction, numerous profile views of the coastlines of several islands, soundings and extensive observations for sailors.  The Soundings of the British Portobello Sloop in 1755 are noted, along with the tracks of the French ship Mascarin in April 1772, a number of different sets of Tracks of the Warren Hastings in 1781 and 1787 and the Pitt in 1759.

Includes a large inset of the East Side of the Isle of Lubeck.

The interior of Java shows a number or indigenous regions, including the Kingdom of Jakarta, Kingdom of Bantam, etc.

A large note "Extract(ed) from the New York's Commercial Advertiser, June 15, 1799" is given, providing "Remarks from the Log-Book respecting the loss of the American Ship Ontario, Capt. Whetten, on the Reef off Soorotoo" is given.

An important and often used practical navigation chart for one of the most actively traversed regions at the end of the 18th Century.

James Whittle Biography

James Whittle (1757-1818) was a British engraver and map printer. Whittle was employed by Robert Sayer (ca. 1725-1794). Together with Robert Laurie (1755?-1836), he took on Sayer’s business when the older man died in 1794. The two traded together as Laurie & Whittle until 1812, when Laurie retired. They had specialized in sea charts and maritime atlases. Whittle then partnered with Laurie’s son, Richard Holmes Laurie, until he died in 1818.

Robert Laurie Biography

Robert Laurie (1755?-1836) was a British engraver and printseller who specialized in engraving portraits and in publishing maritime charts. His family originated in Dumfriesshire. As a young man he came to London and was apprenticed to Robert Sayer (ca. 1724-1794) in 1770. He received several awards in the 1770s for his mezzotint engraving and printing. He worked for Sayer as apprentice, assistant, and later partner.

In 1794, when Sayer died, Laurie took on his business alongside James Whittle, his fellow Sayer employee. Laurie managed the business and ceased almost all engraving. Instead, he oversaw the prodigious output of printed materials, especially sea charts and maritime atlases. He retired in 1812.

Laurie’s son, Richard Holmes Laurie, took over his part of the business and continued in business as Whittle & Laurie, rather than the previous Laurie & Whittle. Whittle died in 1818, leaving Richard as the sold proprietor of the business. Robert died in 1836 in Hertfordshire.