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Maps of the Virgin Islands
Bellin. Carte de L'Isle St. Thomas... 1764. From Le Petit Atlas Maritime. (Paris.) 9 x 14 1/4." A bright example with later, tasteful outline color. Wide margins with minor soiling. Two areas, each of 2" square, of apparent insect specking. Overall, very good condition. Click here for image.
This attractive map covers all of St. Thomas and the western tip of St. John. Numerous bays and points are identified, as are "la Ville," two settlements and Fort St. Thomas ou Christian. Several soundings are shown for the harbor of what is now known as Charlotte Amalie. A compass rose and simple cartouche add to the attractiveness of this map. [Item # 2082.] Please inquire.
Bellin. Carte de L'Isle de Sainte Croix...[on same sheet with] Carte de L'Isle de Saint Jean de Portorico. 1764. From Le Petit Atlas Maritime. (Paris.) Image area of both maps together: 8 3/4 x 6 3/4." Age-toned, especially at the margins. Some staining in the margins. Later, simple outline color. Click here for image.
Two separate maps are included on one sheet: St. Croix of the Virgin Islands at the top and Puerto Rico below. While many points and bays are noted on St. Croix, there is no indication of settlements. An anchorage is indicated at Petit Cannebay. On Puerto Rico, several points, capes, bays and rivers are identified. San Juan is styled "Ville de Portorico." This is a charming rendition of these two islands in the mid-18th century. [Item # 2083.] $700.00.
Approach Views of the Virgin Islands from The English Pilot
[Virgin Islands.] [Approach Views.] The English Pilot: Describing The West-India Navigation... A Description of the Caribbee-Islands. ca. 1773. [London: Mount & Page.] Sheet size: 18 1/2 x 12." Single leaf removed from a bound volume. Edges browned. Very good.
This sheet (pages 31/32) from The English Pilot is devoted to approach views and descriptions of the Virgin Islands. Among the approach views shown are Anegada, St. Cruz (St. Croix), The Virgins including Virgin Gorda, St. John's Island and Iron Island. The text on the page describes St. Croix and the Virgin Islands. There is also a paragraph describing passage through the islands, accompanied by a crude diagram. On the verso of the leaf are approach views and descriptions of Nevis, Eustatia, Saba, St. Bartholomew and St. Martin. An interesting and rarely offered sheet. [Item no. 3108.] $450.00.
The Classic Jefferys’ Chart of the Virgin Islands -- 1775
Jefferys. The Virgin Islands from English and Danish Surveys. London: Printed for Robt. Sayer...20th Febr.1775. 18 3/8 x 24." Uncolored. Centerfold reinforced on reverse. Tear of less than 1" repaired at lower margin, costing one letter of imprint. A few small wormholes and an occasional spot. A very attractive example.
This classic map of the Virgin Islands appeared in Thomas Jefferys' West India Atlas. This is the first issue of the chart, dated 1775. Several other issues followed, with later imprint dates, during the next quarter century. It is a visually captivating chart, portraying not only the Virgins, but also the eastern end of Puerto Rico, Anguilla, St. Martin and St. Kitts. Eleven approach views fill three corners of the chart. Several channels -- Sir Francis Drake Channel most prominent among them -- are indicated. Strictly geographic information is augmented with nautical observations ("Good Anchoring") and local legends (see Treasure Point on Anegada). At the lower center is a short geographic and historic overview of the Virgin Islands titled "Observations." Sellers & Van Ee, Maps and Charts of North America and the West Indies, 1750-1789: 1982. National Maritime Museum (online catalogue): K1071,GREN80A/2. [Item no. 3070.] SOLD.
[Virgin Islands: Book with Maps & Views.] Oldendorp, C. G. A. Geschichte der Mission der Evangelischen Brueder auf den Caraibischen Inseln St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. Jan... [History of the Evangelical Brethren on the Caribbean Islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John.] 1777. bey Christian Friedrich Laur... Barby [Switzerland]. [16], 1068, [44] pp. Two volumes bound as one. Later one-quarter black leather over marbled boards, with minor scuffing. Spine with four raised, gilt-lined bands; gilt title and decorative bands at head and foot of spine. Contents age-toned with scattered light foxing. Four folding views and three folding maps bound on tabs at rear; all are bright and very clean. The map of St. Thomas has a tear of about 1/4" from the right margin, just through the neat lines. Lacks folding table.
This is, to our knowledge, the first published work devoted to the history, natural resources and social conditions of the Virgin Islands, then the Danish West Indies. Oldendorp was a Moravian minister sent to the islands in 1767 to document the history of the Church's missions there. The book is in two parts. The first is devoted to the people and customs of the islands, as well as their natural resources. The second part, edited by Johann Jakob Bossart, provides a detailed history of the Moravian missions to the islands, beginning with that in St. Thomas in 1732. The volume contains three maps: Caraibische Inseln (12 1/8 x 13 7/8"), Die Insel Sanct Thomas mit den mehresten Plantagen 1767 [including the western end of St. John] (7 x 12 1/2") and Die Insel Sainte Croix mit den Namen der Plantagen die bestaendig sind...1767 [with a symbol used to identify which plantations have a Zuckermuhle] (6 7/8 x 12 5/8"). Also bound in are four copper-plate engravings: Aussicht von Neu-Herrnhut auf St. Thomas von der Ostseite (7 x 10 1/2"), Friedensthal in St. Croix an einem Bettage...( 7 x 10 1/8"), Aussicht von Friedensthal von der Westseite (7 x 11 1/4") and Bethanien in St. Jan (7 x 8 7/8"). These are undoubtedly among the first views published of the Virgin Islands (and offered here in fine condition). Oldendorp's work is an underappreciated one, perhaps made somewhat less so by an English translation published in 1987, nearly 200 years after the original. Sabin: 57152. Not in Hough and Hough, The Beinecke Lesser Antilles Collection at Hamilton College. [Item no. 2625.] SOLD.
Kueffner. Die Insel Sanct Thomas mit den mehresten Plantagen 1767. 1777. Nuremburg. 7 x 12 7/8." Light soiling; very strong impression. Very good. Click here for image.
This very scarce map of Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands identifies a host of plantations throughout the island. Water Island, Carrot Bay and Red Hook are among the names still readily recognizable on St. Thomas. The western end of St. John, including Great and Little Cruz Bay, is also shown. [Item # 2098.] $1,250.00.
LeRouge’s Version of Jefferys’ Classic Chart of the Virgin Islands
[Virgin Islands.] Le Rouge (after Jefferys). Les Vierges, levees par les Anglais, et par les Dannois, Traduit de l'Anglais. Dated 1779. From Pilote Americain Septentrionale. Paris. Overall dimensions: 19 x 24 1/2." Dissected and laid down on rose-colored linen. Old outline color. Minor soiling. Overall, very good.
This is a French version of Jefferys' classic map of the Virgin Islands. Jefferys' chart was published in the West-India Atlas in 1775; the French version by Le Rouge is dated 1779. Le Rogue's chart is very faithful to Jefferys' -- other than translating from English to French, we observe only minor editorial differences. The chart focuses on the Virgin Islands but also covers the area from eastern Puerto Rico to Anguilla and south to St. Kitts. There are approach views of the Virgins in the upper left and right corners, as well as at the lower left. A description of the Virgin Islands appears at the lower center. This example of the chart has been dissected and laid down on linen to form a case map which folds neatly to 8 x 6." Whether the chart was initially offered as a case map or was converted to that format by an early owner, we do not know. In any event, it is a nicely preserved example of an uncommon and very appealing chart of the Virgin Islands. Sellers & Van Ee, Maps and Charts of North America and the West Indies, 1750-1789: 1983. [Item no. 2849.] $4,500.00.
Spanish Chart of St. Thomas from the early 19th Century
[Virgin Islands.] Direccion de Hidrografia. Plano del Pto de San Tomas. [Madrid.] 1809 or later. 7 1/8 x 9 3/8." A bright (probably cleaned) example. Strong impression. Minor tears in top margin skillfully repaired.
A scarce and attractive chart of St. Thomas Harbor in the Virgin Islands from the early 19th century. The chart shows the layout of the town of St. Thomas as well as soundings in the harbor. Water Island (Isla del Agua) is shown and labeled. Scarce, with only one example listed in the Antique Map Price Record in the past 22 years. Phillips, A List of Geographical Atlases in the Library of Congress: 1223. [Item no. 2688.] SOLD.
Direccion de Hidrografia. [Road Town.] Plano del Puerto principal de la Tortola. [Madrid.] 7 1/8 x 9 3/8." A bright (probably cleaned) example. Strong impression. Minor tears in upper margin skillfully repaired.
An early and attractive chart of what is now known as Road Town Harbor on Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. The chart indicates numerous buildings in Pueblo de Tortola, as well as soundings in the harbor. The only other labeled feature is Pta. del Castillo. Scarce, with only one example listed in the Antique Map Price Record in the past 22 years. Phillips, A List of Geographical Atlases in the Library of Congress: 1223. [Item no. 2689.] Please inquire.
Schomburgk. Anegada with its Reefs by R. H. Schomburgh (sic). 1832. Published for the Journal of the Royal Geographical Society by John Murray. London. 7 5/8 x 9 1/4." Original fold lines; offsetting from being folded. Otherwise, very good. Click here for image.
A nicely detailed map of Anegada, now one of the British Virgin Islands. Presumably this is one of the earliest separate maps of Anegada. A small inset map of the entire Virgin Islands group appears in the lower left corner of this map. Numerous points (Tomata, Saltheap, etc.) and bays (Bone's, Windlass, etc.) are identified as are Settlements, Flamingo Pond and "Heaps of Conch Shells." Various shoals, channels and locations of fresh water are also shown. At Southern Shoals, it is noted "H. M. Ship Plover lost her rudder." A charming and scarce map by the German-born and educated British explorer and surveyor, best known for "the Schomburgk line," from his survey of the boundary between British Guiana and Venezuela. [Item # 2843.] $300.
Anegada Shipwrecks
House of Commons. A Chart of the Islands of Anegada, together with the Vessels wrecked thereon. Copied at the Quarter Master Genls. Office, Horse Guards. By Chas. Noyce. June 16th, 1824. 1826. James Basire sculp. Luke Hansard & Sons, Printers. [London.] 16 x 14." Fold lines as issued. Trimmed close to neat line at lower left for binding. Some moderate offsetting, but otherwise a very clean and bright example.
A fascinating map of the westernmost portion of the British Virgin Islands. In addition to Anegada, the map includes Musquito, Prickley Pear, Necker Island, Eustatia and a portion of Virgin Corda [sic]. Details on Anegada include "Pyramids of Conch Shells left by the Charaibe Indians" and a "Natural Canal, known but by few of the Inhabitants." The most striking aspect of the chart is the identification -- often by name and date -- of more than 30 shipwrecks. One of these, the "Donna Paula with Slaves... 1819" is highlighted in red with a pointing finger. Above top neat line: "I. Papers Relating to Captured Negroes." Below lower neat line: "Ordered by The House of Commons to be Printed, 16th March 1825. Maps from British Parliamentary reports of this time period are quite uncommon; we find no listing of the map in the Antique Map Price Record through the 2006 volume. [Item no. 2978.] SOLD.
Schomburgk. The Virgin Islands, Shewing the Set of the Tides Amongst Them. 1835. Published for the Journal of the Royal Geographical Society. London. 7 3/8 x 16 1/2." Very light darkening of one fold; right margin reinforced; soiling between neat lines at right. Click here for image.
An interesting separate presentation of the Virgin Islands, extending from Green and Brigantine Islands just east of St. Thomas to Virgin Gorda in the west. Red and blue colored lines depict the flow of the flood and ebb tides, respectively. In addition, areas of heavy swell and ground swell are indicated by shading. While towns are not indicated, numerous islands, "kays" and points are identified. Schomburgk, a German-born and educated British explorer and surveyor, first visited the Virgin Islands in 1831 at the age of 27. Subsequently, he undertook explorations and surveys of British Guiana, Barbados, the Dominican Republic and Thailand. Phillips, A List of Maps of America: p. 976. [Item # 2143.] $325.00.
U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office. West Indies -- Anegada Passage with Adjacent Islands Compiled from the latest information 1886. 1886, with corrections to 1894. Hydrographic Office, Navy Department. Washington, D.C. 23 3/4 x 39 1/2." Rolled chart on heavy paper with three old vertical folds; very good condition.
A scarce chart produced by the U.S. Navy in the late 19th century. The left third of the chart depicts the Virgin Islands group, including St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and numerous smaller islands and cays. Sombrero Island sits, lonely, in the middle of the charted area. The right third of the chart encompasses Anguilla, St. Martin, St. Bartholomew and Saba Island. Numerous sounding are presented, and many passages, reefs and banks are located on this detailed navigational chart. [Item # 2144.] SOLD.
Please contact us by telephone, e-mail or letter for more information or to order any of these maps. Images are available upon request. Prices do not include postage and insurance. All items are offered subject to prior sale. Maine residents please add 5% sales tax.