The Office of Coast Survey is the oldest U.S. scientific organization, dating from 1807 when Congress directed that a "survey of the coast" be carried out. By 1836, it was called the U.S. Coast Survey and in 1878, the name was changed to the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. Today the Office of Coast Survey is a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA.

The survey teams, composed of civilians as well as Army and Naval officers, charted the nation's waterways and produced a wide array of reports, survey charts, hydrographic studies of tides and currents, astronomical studies and observations, and coastal pilots. These charts are an important record of the changing nature of the nation's coastlines. In additional to coastal charts, the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey produced land sketches, Civil War battle maps, and the early aeronautical charts.

These two charts depict the middle Florida Keys from Key Largo west to Big Pine Key (part of a four sheet set depicting the entire string of islands). Together the two sheets present fine detail along the numerous islands including Long Key, Upper & Lower Matecumbe, and Key Vaca to name a few. In the surrounding waters are scores of soundings, shoals, reefs, bottom types, and magnetic variation. Accompanying notes at top include information on light houses, beacons, tides, and more. Drawn under the direction of A.D. Bache.

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Condition: B+

Issued folding and now flattened and backed with tissue to reinforce and repair a few minor fold separations. There is light toning along the fold lines.