Subject: Casco Bay, Maine
Period: 1779 (dated)
Publication:
Color: Hand Color
Size:
23 x 16 inches
58.4 x 40.6 cm
This curious chart of Casco Bay on the Maine coast was drawn by Captain Cyprian Southack and reissued by Antoine Sartine for the French Navy in 1779 during the American Revolutionary War. The map contains a number of inaccuracies, showing misshapen islands off of Portland Harbor and an inaccurate coastline from Portland to Small Point. The chart includes a dotted line course called Channel Way entering the Bay at Cape Elizabeth, weaving through the islands, and exiting at Small Point. Interestingly, the anchorages in the English edition were mistakenly interpreted by the French copyist as symbols for currents. The seal of the Depot de Marine is at top right.
References: Sellers & Van Ee #843.
Condition: A
Strong impression on thick watermarked paper with a few faint spots.