Ringgold, Cadwalader

A Series of Charts, with Sailing Directions, Embracing Surveys of the Farallones, Entrance to the Bay of San Francisco, Bays of San Francisco and San Pablo, Straits of Carquines and Suisun Bay ... Including the Cities of Sacramento and Boston, State of California. Washington: Printed by Jno. T. Towers, 1851



Tall 8vo (11 1/4 x 7 1/4 in.; 285 x 184 mm). Eleven lithographed plates on tinted grounds with 12 coastal views by William H. Dougal, 6 folding lithographed maps by Curtis Burr Graham; some offsetting from plates, a few tiny spots, occasional small edge tears in a few maps entering frames. Publisher's purple cloth, gilt-stamped illustrated upper cover, the same blindstamped on lower cover; spine and top edge sun-faded.

Cowan II, pp. 533-534n; Peters, California on Stone II, pp. 112-113; Streeter sale 2679

First edition, second issue, the first illustrated issue, of the definitive survey of the San Francisco Bay region, with author's presentation: "For the Hon. S. Hamlin with the respects of the author."

Ringgold tells us in the introduction that he was persuaded by the citizens of San Francisco to undertake the task of accurately surveying the coastal approaches due to the vast amount of ship traffic the area was experiencing due to the Gold Rush. The text includes detailed instructions for mariners and enthusiastic description of the region.

This 44-page issue appeared first without maps or plates the same year, and a second edition of 48 pages, also unillustrated, appeared in 1851.