Finland--Spafarieff, Leonty

Estimate

10,000 - 15,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Atlas of the Gulf of Finland Containing the South Coast with the Islands belonging to it from Cape Luserort to Cronstadt with lighthouses & Towers necessary to be known for sailing by night. Compiled and Published by the Director of the light houses Major General Knight Leonty Spafarieff [title repeated in Russian]. St Petersburg: engraved and printed in the Naval Printing Office, 1817
paper

Folio (660 x 500mm.), engraved title in Russian and English, dedication in Russian, German, French and English, one plate of a lighthouse, and 13 charts (12 double-page and one single), original half calf over red marbled paper boards, a few minor tears skilfully repaired, binding rebacked

Condition

the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Rare. The pilot consists of detailed charts of the gulfs of Finland, Riga, and Bothnia. The title-page gives specific mention to the lighthouses and towers along the southern shores of the Gulf of Finland, from Luserort (modern day Ovisi) to Kronstadt. The Ovisi lighthouse, built in 1814, is still in operation today, and is the oldest working lighthouse in Latvia.

The first plate is a detailed diagram of a lighthouse torch. Many of the subsequent charts show elevations of the newly constructed lighthouses and towers along the Finnish Gulf, together with soundings and the lighthouses radii. All charts bear titles in Russian, although several have additional titles in English, French, and German. The first eleven charts detail the coasts of the Gulfs of Finland, and Riga, with the last two concentrating on the Gulf of Bothnia.

Leontiy Vassilievich Spafarieff (1765–1847) was a Lieutenant General of the Imperial Russian Navy, the first director of the Lighthouse Administration, and cartographer of the Russian Admiralty. He made important contributions to the improvement of navigation along the Russian and Baltic coasts. The first lighthouses in Russia were built during Peter the Great's drive for reform and modernization at the beginning of the eighteenth century. However, it was only until the Lighthouse Administration was created in 1807 that the system became effective and efficient.

A full list of maps is available from the department.