Catalog Archive
Auction 153, Lot 432

"Annual Passage of the Herrings [on sheet with] Plan of Mr. Fitch's Steam Boat [with] The Columbian Magazine, or Monthly Miscellany. For December 1786", Columbian Magazine

Subject: North Atlantic

Period: 1786 (published)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
4.1 x 6.4 inches
10.4 x 16.3 cm
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This little map was published in the December 1786 issue of the Columbian Magazine (4.7 x 7.7"), and illustrates the supposed progression of herring in the North Atlantic Ocean. Each month's location is marked with a Roman numeral. The map is taken from an inset of an earlier map by Benjamin Franklin depicting the Gulf Stream (Wheat & Brun #721). Above the map is an illustration of "Plan of Mr. Fitchs Steam Boat" which is the first depiction of the first vessel successfully moved by steam. Included with the map is a short article by John Gilpin entitled "Observations on the Annual Passage of Herrings." The magazine also includes the first printing of Franklin's essay on the "Morals of Chess."

References: Wheat & Brun #722.

Condition: B

Map and text are lightly toned with soiling and light scattered foxing. Map is trimmed to the neatline at left with one small chip along the neatline. The map and one other plate are detached from the magazine, which is disbound.

Estimate: $350 - $450

Sold for: $250

Closed on 5/20/2015

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