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1794 Laurie and Whittle Nautical Chart or Map of the Straits of Bali, Indonesia
StraitBali-lauriewhittle-1794$237.50
Title
A New Plan of the Straits Situated to the East of Java & Madura commonly called The Straits of Bali and of Pondi and Respondi.
1794 (dated) 20 x 14 in (50.8 x 35.56 cm) 1 : 750000
1794 (dated) 20 x 14 in (50.8 x 35.56 cm) 1 : 750000
Description
This is a fine example of Laurie and Whittle's 1794 nautical chart or maritime map of the Strait of Bali, Indonesia. It covers from Java's eastern extension to include the western half of Bali and the islands of Madura and Respondi (Sapudi). An inset near the left border details the Bay of Ballambouang, Java. The Bali Strait separated the islands of Java and Bali, which prior to the last Ice Age, were joined by a land bridge. The most populated island in the world, Java was a major producer of rice during the colonial era. Madura and most of Java was under the influence of the Dutch during this period.
The map offers rich detail including countless depth soundings, notes on the sea floor, commentary on reefs, rhumb lines, shoals, coastal features, place names and a wealth of other practical information for the mariner. Cartographically this chart is derived from earlier maps prepared for Jean-Baptiste d'Apres de Mannevillette's 1745 Neptune Oriental. Manevillette based his chart, as noted under the title, on 'observations and remarks of the English Ships; the Winchelsea, commanded by the learned Mr. Howe, from whose surveys the Plan of the Eastern Part of Madura, and the Straits has been delineated; the Chesterfield in 1760; the Royal George in 1766; and of the French Ships, l'Elephant, and le Chameau, 1759: agreeable also with the remarks made by the English Ships, Onslow, Triton, Sandwich, Osterley, in 1758; Tavistock and Hawke in 1759. This map was published by Laurie and Whittle from their offices at 53 Fleet Street, London, on May 12, 1794.
The map offers rich detail including countless depth soundings, notes on the sea floor, commentary on reefs, rhumb lines, shoals, coastal features, place names and a wealth of other practical information for the mariner. Cartographically this chart is derived from earlier maps prepared for Jean-Baptiste d'Apres de Mannevillette's 1745 Neptune Oriental. Manevillette based his chart, as noted under the title, on 'observations and remarks of the English Ships; the Winchelsea, commanded by the learned Mr. Howe, from whose surveys the Plan of the Eastern Part of Madura, and the Straits has been delineated; the Chesterfield in 1760; the Royal George in 1766; and of the French Ships, l'Elephant, and le Chameau, 1759: agreeable also with the remarks made by the English Ships, Onslow, Triton, Sandwich, Osterley, in 1758; Tavistock and Hawke in 1759. This map was published by Laurie and Whittle from their offices at 53 Fleet Street, London, on May 12, 1794.
Cartographer
Laurie and Whittle (fl. 1794 - 1858) were London, England, based map and atlas publishers active in the late 18th and early 19th century. Generally considered to be the successors to the Robert Sayer firm, Laurie and Whittle was founded by Robert Laurie (c. 1755 - 1836) and James Whittle (1757-1818). Robert Laurie was a skilled mezzotint engraver and is known to have worked with Robert Sayer on numerous projects. James Whittle was a well-known London socialite and print seller whose Fleet Street shop was a popular haunt for intellectual luminaries. The partnership began taking over the general management of Sayer's firm around 1787; however, they did not alter the Sayer imprint until after Sayer's death in 1794. Apparently Laurie did most of the work in managing the firm and hence his name appeared first in the "Laurie and Whittle" imprint. Together Laurie and Whittle published numerous maps and atlases, often bringing in other important cartographers of the day, including Kitchin, Faden, Jefferys and others to update and modify their existing Sayer plates. Robert Laurie retired in 1812, leaving the day to day management of the firm to his son, Richard Holmes Laurie (1777 - 1858). Under R. H. Laurie and James Whittle, the firm renamed itself "Whittle and Laurie". Whittle himself died six years later in 1818, and thereafter the firm continued under the imprint of "R. H. Laurie". After R. H. Laurie's death the publishing house and its printing stock came under control of Alexander George Findlay, who had long been associated with Laurie and Whittle. Since, Laurie and Whittle has passed through numerous permeations, with part of the firm still extant as an English publisher of maritime or nautical charts, 'Imray, Laurie, Norie and Wilson Ltd.' The firm remains the oldest surviving chart publisher in Europe. More by this mapmaker...
Source
Laurie, R., and Whittle, J., The East-India Pilot, or Oriental Navigator, on One Hundred and Eighteen Plates: Containing a Complete Collection of Charts and Plans, &c., &c. for the Navigation not only of the Indian and China Seas, but of those also between England and the Cape of Good-Hope; Improved and Chiefly Composed from the Last Work of M. D'Apres de Mannevillette; with Considerable Additions, from Private Manuscripts of the Dutch, and from Draughts and Actual Surveys Communicated By Officers of the East-India Company A New Edition, Containing One Hundred and Five Charts. (London: Laurie and Whittle) 1797.
Condition
Very good. Original platemark visible.
References
Parry, David E., The Cartography of the East India Islands Insulae Indiae Orientalis, plate 6.18, pages 192-3.