This pair of charts from the chronicle of Anson's voyage covers Petatlan (hand color, 19.4 x 8.8") and Zihautanejo (black & white, 19.5 x 10.5") on Mexico's Pacific coast. Both feature soundings, bottom types, and rocks in the water, as well as decorative compass roses capped with a fleurs-de-lis. There is exquisite topographical detail along the coastlines. Zihuatanejo was a critical stop before Anson's journey across the Pacific, and apparently some of his men loved the coastal paradise so much that they mutinied and remained there.

In 1740 Anson set sail in command of a squadron sent to attack Spanish possessions and interests in South America. The expedition was ill-equipped and failed to carry out its original ambitious mission. By June 1741, when Anson reached the Juan Fernandez Islands, his force had been reduced to only three of the original six ships, while his crew's numbers had dwindled from 961 to 335. After recuperating on the island and launching several attacks on the west coast of South America, he headed across the Pacific in May 1742. He reached Macao that November, where he was met with weariness by the Chinese, who considered him a pirate. From Macao, he set about on a hunt for one of the trade galleons traveling between Mexico and the Philippines. Eventually, in June 1743, he captured his prize off Cape Espiritu Santo: the Nuestra Señora de Covadonga, also known as the Acapulco Galleon. Following this success, he sailed back to Canton before traveling through Southeast Asia and around the southern tip of Africa. He made his way back to England, arriving in Spithead in June 1744, bringing to close of the great sea voyages.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) G.ANS-1a #10 & 11.

Condition: B+

Both are nice impressions. The first sheet is issued folding with a small tear at bottom left that has been repaired on verso with tape. This second chart is on a lightly toned sheet with minor scattered foxing and printer's ink residue.