This scarce chart of Cartagena was published just one year prior to the Battle of Cartagena and highlights the defenses of the port and bay. The Battle of Cartagena was an unsuccessful large-scale attack by British and American colonial troops during the War of Jenkins' Ear, part of the War of the Austrian Succession. The attack was led by Admiral Edward Vernon, who, although unsuccessful in Cartagena, gained much acclaim for his victories elsewhere in the Caribbean. The map presents the town of Cartagena in a simple block pattern, with the fortified Sn. Philipe de Baraxas (Castillo San Felipe de Barajas) adjacent to the town and the Na. Sa. de la Popa (Convento de la Popa) on a hill high above the town. The surrounding countryside is filled with hills and vegetation. A compass rose in the bay orients north to the left of the chart, and the bay is filled with notations of depth soundings, rocks and shoals. The map is dedicated to Sir Charles Wager, who was First Lord of the Admiralty between 1733 and 1742 and was partially responsible for appointing Vernon to command the Jamaica Station. Engraved by William Henry Toms and published by Samuel Harding. Adjacent to the publisher's imprint is the list price for the map: "Price One Shilling Plain, & Color'd Two Shillings." Separately issued.

This chart is extremely rare, and we have only found 2 examples of this map for sale in the last 30 years.

References: Kapp (MCC-77) #66.

Condition: B

A nice impression with light soiling. Issued folding with a long separation along the right-hand fold that has been archivally repaired, as well as some toning along the fold.