Stock# 70378
Description
A nice example of probably the most famous chartbook for the British Isles, by Greenville Collins, who was a Royal Navy officer and prominent hydrographer during the 17th century.
Collins's Coasting Pilot was the first comprehensive survey of the country's coasts undertaken by a Briton. Collins undertook his survey from 1681 to 1693, using HMS Merlin, among other vessels.
The atlas includes detailed charts of the ports, harbors, coasts, and other features of Britain and Scotland, printed on thick paper.
Rarity
This is a rare late edition of Great-Britain's Coasting Pilot; OCLC lists only two copies of this 1779 edition, at the National Maritime Museum, and the National Library of Sweden.
Condition Description
Folio. Contemporary full vellum. [2], 30 pp., blank leaf. With added engraved pictorial title page; 48 engraved plates, including 42 double-page charts, 2 single page charts, 2 inserted folding charts on smaller paper, 1 double-page plate, and 1 single-page plate of coastal views; 1 in-text engraved chart. Folding letterpress description of Scilly inserted, as issued. Some discoloration and wear to vellum, but sound; a few repairs to title page, occasional minor soiling, foxing and aging within, one fold-out plate ill-creased. Very Good to Very Good+