Sea chart of the Firth of Forth from the first English sea-atlas

COLLINS, Greenvile.

[The Firth of Forth.] To the Right Hon.ble James Earle of Perth Lord Chancellor of the Kingdom of Scotland, This Chart is humbly dedicated by Capt. Greenvile Collins Hydrographer to the King.
London: Mount & Page, c.1750. Coloured, 450 x 560mm.

A sea chart of the mouth of the Firth of Forth marking Edinburgh, 'Lieth', 'Dumfermling', 'North Berwickla' and Dunbar. The dedication cartouche features Scottish martial trophies and mermaids.

It was published in an edition of Collins' 'Great Britain's Coasting Pilot, being a New Survey of the Sea Coast', the first English sea-atlas based on personal survey. Undertaken on the orders of Charles II, Collins started his survey in 1681, a task that lasted seven years. The complete atlas was finally completed in 1693, and was so popular that editions were released, with only occasional revisions, until 1792.


Stock ID : 14900