Des Barres, Joseph Frederick Wallet | Charts from Des Barres in unusually fresh condition

Des Barres, Joseph Frederick Wallet

The Sea Coast of Nova Scotia; Exhibiting the Diversities of the Coast, and Face of the Country Near It: The Banks, Rocks, Shoals, Soundings, &c. Together with Remarks and Directions for the Conveniency ofNavigation and Pilotage. Survey's by Order of The Right Honourable The Lords Commissioners of the Admirality. [London: 1775–1777]

An early series of charts and other material from the Nova Scotia section of Des Barres's monumental Atlantic Neptune, comprising an engraved general title-page, letterpress contents leaf, engraved key to references leaf, 3 letterpress leaves of sailing directions, 2 coastal profiles, and 31 (of 33?) engraved charts (many including inset plans, maps, and vignette views), the charts mostly full-sheet (744 x 1058 mm) or folding joined multiple sheets, each chart stamp-numbered in upper fore-edge corner of verso; occasional light foxing, a few short marginal tears, a very few charts just shaved. Accompanied by 11 other later coastal profiles and harbor views, mostly of Nova Scotia, from The Atlantic Neptune. Housed in a green cloth folding box.

This is evidently a bespoke early selection of charts relating to Nova Scotia issued prior to the publication of the full Atlantic Neptune. Because the charts seem never to have been found, they are unusually fresh in appearance.

An itemized listing of the contents is available from the Books and Manuscripts Department.

PROVENANCE:

Bonhams New York, 15 December 2009, lot 5210 (undesignated consignor)