1950 New York Harbour Upper Bay, Hudson River and East River
By: British Admiralty
Date: 1950 (dated) London
Dimensions: 26 x 39 inches (66 x 99 cm)
A beautiful mid-century working nautical chart of New York harbor, Upper Bay, the East and Hudson River. This nautical chart was published by the Admiralty under Crown copyright in 1950, with annotated updates and small corrections to 1958.
This chart around Manhattan, Jersey City, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and the west entrance to Long Island sound features all the necessary information for navigating those waters including depth soundings in fathoms, lights, buoys, and shallow areas colored in a faint blue/green. Two inset maps detail anchorages along the Hudson River and the Upper Bay. The latter details specific areas of anchorage for a variety of vessels (steamers, barges, sailboats) as well as a specific area just offshore from Jersey City for explosives. The map is annotated in blue ink, mostly in the Upper Bay and the west entrance to Long Island Sound where a bridge under construction is delineated, connecting the Bronx and Long Island.
Advancements in Nautical Chart Printing Technology
Traditionally, nautical charts issued by the Admiralty were meticulously crafted from copper plate engravings. However, the evolving nature of the real world posed challenges in updating these engravings. In the 1820s, attempts were made to explore lithography as an alternative, yet the results fell short of expectations despite its cost-effectiveness. Consequently, copper plate printing remained predominant well into the 20th century.
A significant turning point arrived in 1938 with trials of the rotary offset process, utilizing zinc plates replicated from the original copper engravings. The success of these trials led to the adoption of this faster and more sustainable process for all chart production by the outbreak of World War II. This innovation proved vital in meeting the heightened demand for charts during wartime.
Following the war, advancements in printing technology enabled the introduction of color printing with sufficient precision for charting purposes. The incorporation of printed color, rather than hand-drawn, revolutionized chart design. Notably, the first application of printed color was in delineating water depths Solid pale light green or blue was used for water to the 3 fathom line, and a ribbon of the same color was used six fathoms
This chart is a fine example of the breakthrough change in printing technology utilized for nautical charts during and after WWII.
Condition: Map is in A+ condition folded in the center with sharp detail and lovely printed color on bright and clean paper with full margins on all sides and no tears or holes.
NOTE: Any shading along the centerfold is a result of the scanning process and not nearly as pronounced when viewed in hand.
Inventory #12748
1200 W. 35th Street #425 Chicago, IL 60609 | P: (312) 496 - 3622