1925 Latimer Geological Map of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, Massachusetts

Uncommon Geological Survey Map of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

An uncommon 1925 geological map of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, Massachusetts. It also extends to include Wood's Hole and the Elizabeth Islands. Based on surveys completed by the U.S. Geological Survey, this map was compiled, expanded, and updated by W. J. Latimer to reflect soil composition throughout the islands. No less than 25 different soil types are identified. In the process Latimer highlights the most striking difference between the two islands - whereas Nantucket mostly consists of sandy dunes, the larger Martha's Vineyard is primarily loamy arable soil. A. Hoen and Company, prominent Baltimore based government printers, completed the engraving on behalf of Latimer. This map is somewhat uncommon, with only 1 auction record in the past 10 years and just 3 specific entries in the OCLC.

Cartographer

The Office of the Coast Survey (1807 - present) founded in 1807 by President Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of Commerce Albert Gallatin, is the oldest scientific organization in the U.S. Federal Government. Jefferson created the "Survey of the Coast," as it was then called, in response to a need for accurate navigational charts of the new nation's coasts and harbors. The spirit of the Coast Survey was defined by its first two superintendents. The first superintendent of the Coast Survey was Swiss immigrant and West Point mathematics professor Ferdinand Hassler. Under the direction of Hassler, from 1816 to 1843, the ideological and scientific foundations for the Coast Survey were established. These included using the most advanced techniques and most sophisticated equipment, as well as an unstinting attention to detail. Hassler devised a labor-intensive triangulation system whereby the entire coast was divided into a series of enormous triangles. These were, in turn, subdivided into smaller triangulation units, which were then individually surveyed. Employing this exacting technique on such a massive scale had never been attempted before. Consequently, Hassler and the Coast Survey under his leadership developed a reputation for uncompromising dedication to accuracy and excellence. Unfortunately, despite being a masterful surveyor, Hassler was abrasive and politically unpopular, losing congressional funding for the Coast Survey twice. Nonetheless, Hassler led the Coast Survey until his death in 1843, when Alexander Dallas Bache, a great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin, took the helm. Bache was fully dedicated to the principles established by Hassler, but proved more politically astute and successfully lobbied Congress to fund the endeavor generously. Under the leadership of A. D. Bache, the Coast Survey completed its most important work. Moreover, during his long tenure with the Coast Survey, from 1843 to 1865, Bache was a steadfast advocate of American science and navigation and, in fact, founded the American Academy of Sciences. Bache was succeeded by Benjamin Pierce, who ran the Survey from 1867 to 1874. Pierce was, in turn, succeeded by Carlile Pollock Patterson, who was Superintendent from 1874 to 1881. In 1878, under Patterson's superintendence, the U.S. Coast Survey was reorganized as the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (USCGS) to accommodate both topographic and nautical surveys. Today, the Coast Survey is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as the National Geodetic Survey.   Further Details...

Source

Latimer, W. J., Soil Survey of Dukes and Nantucket Counties, Mass., 1925.    

Condition

Very good. Minor wear along original fold lines. Professionally flattened and backed with archival tissue. Accompanied by 31 page booklet 'Soil Survey of Dukes and Nantucket Counties Massachusetts'.

References

OCLC 17764133.