Direccion Hidrografia
The Direccion Hidrografía (1787 - 1927), also known as the Deposito Hydrografico and the Direction de Hidrografía, was the Spanish equivalent of the British Admiralty or the U.S. Coast Survey. This organization, founded in 1787, was commissioned to collect and produce accurate nautical charts of all waters frequented by Spanish vessels. In essence, it replaced the Casa de la Contratación de las Indias (House of Trade of the Indies), which closed its doors in 1790. Like most such organizations, the Direccion Hidrografía marked a new age in cartography. Rather than simply collect charts created by navigators, explorers, and merchants, the Direccion Hidrografía worked closely with naval and military personnel to mount cartographic and hydrographic expeditions in pursuit of the most accurate hydrographical, astronomical, and geodetic measurements. The Direccion Hidrografía created a massive library of nautical charts that, though not nearly as common as similar nautical charts by the U.S. Coast Survey and British Admiralty, are highly desirable for the beauty of their manufacture as well as their accuracy and detail. The office was originally located on Calle Ballesta, but relocated to 36 Alcala, both in Madrid. After 1908 the Dirección was subsumed into other governmental agencies. In 1927 the Direccion was absorbed into the Institute and Observatory of San Fernando, located in Cadiz. The library of original maps, charts, and journals was transferred to the Naval Museum of Madrid - where it resides to this day.
Spain's Answer to Cook and Laperouse.
$1,200.00
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This is an 1800 maritime map or nautical chart of the northern part of the Pacific Coast of South America, prepared by Felipe Bauzá y Cañas and published by the Deposito Hidrografico (Direccion Hidrografía). Bauzá has been the main hydrographer on the Alexandro Malaspina Expedition (1789 - 1794), a Spanish effort to chart the western coast of America and explore the Pacific Ocean, akin to the slightly earlier British and French voyages led by James Cook and Lapérouse, respectively. (more details)
Rare early nautical chart of the Virgin Islands.
Carta Esferica de la Islas Caribes de Sotavento.
$2,000.00
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A rare 1804 Direccion Hidrografica nautical chart or maritime map of the Virgin Islands. Centered on Virgin Gorda Island, the map covers from eastern Puerto Rico to St. Christopher and St. Barts. When it was printed, this was the finest map of the Virgin Islands yet produced, the result of a meticulous 1792 survey by Spanish officers Joaquin Francisco Fidalgo and Cosme Damián de Churruca y Elorza. (more details)
Early Spanish nautical mapping of Florida.
Nueva Carta del Canal de Bahama que comprehende tambien Los de Providencia y Santaren con los bajos, islas, y sondas al Este y al Oeste de la Peninsula de la Florida...
$5,000.00
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A strikingly engraved 1807 Spanish nautical map of Florida and the Bahamas (Lucayas) published in Madrid by the Spanish Dirección Hidrografía. It is among the earliest modern nautical charts to focus specifically on Florida and was based on the 1799 observations of Dionisio Alcalá Galiano (1760 - 1805) aboard the ship San Fulgencio. (more details)
Nassau River and the southern part of Amelia Island.
Boca y Barra del Rio Nasau.
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A rare find, this is the beautifully engraved 1809 Dirección de Hidrografía nautical chart or map of the mouth of the Nassau River, just to the south of Amelia Island. Florida. The river’s banks are depicted in as much detail as was likely available at the time, with only one point labeled, Pta. del Tenedero. Depth soundings populate both the northern and southern channels on either side of the Barra de Nasau. (more details)
Charting Caribbean Waters.
Carta Esferica que Comprehende una Parte de las Islas Antillas, las de Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, Jamayca y Cuba con los Bancos y Canales Adyacentes.
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An impressive large-format nautical chart, produced in 1815 by the Spanish Dirección Hidrografía, covering the waters off the Greater Antilles and surrounding islands, taking in Cuba, the Bahamas, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guadeloupe. (more details)
Cuba's Central Coast.
Carta Esferica de una parte de la Costa Setentrional y Meridional de la Isla de Cuba, desde Nuevitas hasta el rio Camarioca y desde Labana la Mar hasta los Jardines, con el Canal viejo de Bahama y el de Santaren.
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A beautifully engraved 1836 nautical chart of the central portion of Cuba and surrounding waters produced by Spain's Dirección de Hidrografía. It highlights the difficulty of navigating the Old Bahama Channel (Canal Viejo de Bahama), the waters between the Bahamas and Cuba. (more details)
Charting an 1867 Spanish voyage around the Caribbean.
[West Indies, Florida, Gulf of Mexico]
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This is a scarce c. 1838 Direccion Hidrografia nautical chart or maritime map of the West Indies, Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean. Centered on Hispaniola, the map covers from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, to the Equator, and from the Pacific coast of Central America to the mouth of the Amazon River. Manuscript notates throughout follow the 1867 voyage of a Spanish ship. (more details)
First Accurate Chart and Map of Puerto Rico.
Carta Esferica De La Isla De Puerto-Rico y las adyacentes, que a la misma pertenecen Vicques, Culebra, Cajades Muertos, Mona, Monito y Desecho, con partie de las islas de Santa Domingo y Saona…
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An elegant, large nautical chart and topographical map of Puerto Rico, first published in 1840 by Miguel Moreno of the Spanish Depósito Hidrográfico. While presented as a nautical chart, both the coasts and interior of the island are scientifically precise and rich with detail. This is the first such map of Puerto Rico, surpassing the 1791 Tomas Lopez map, which had been considered the best map of Puerto Rico for nearly 50 years. (more details)
Turbulent Waters.
Carta Esferica que comprende parte de las Islas de S.to Domingo, Jamaica, Cuba, Lucayas Y Gran Banco de Bahama.
$1,200.00
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A highly detailed 1856 nautical chart produced by Spain's Dirección de Hidrografía, taking in portions of the Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica, and their surrounding waters. It was made as Spain tried to develop naval power to maintain a tenuous hold on its remaining American colonies, Cuba and Santo Domingo. (more details)
Charting Florida.
Seno Mejicano. Carta de la Costa Occidental de la Florida y Parte de La Isla de Cuba segun los trabajos mas modernos nacionales y estrangeros.
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A scarce 1866 working Spanish Dirección de Hidrografía nautical map of peninsular Florida and northern Cuba. This chart was used by the Santiago, one of the first steamships to ply the Havana-Cadiz route. (more details)
Confederate Camaradas?
América Septentrional, Costa Este. Hoja III. Georgia y Carolina del Sur desde Savannah hasta cabo Fear.
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An intriguing nautical chart or map of the Georgia and South Carolina coasts, produced in 1868 by Spain's Dirección de Hidrografía. Surveyed before the U.S. Civil War but published afterwards, the chart reflects both Spain's investment in naval modernization in the preceding decades and a continued interest in the Americas, despite having lost most of its colonial empire earlier in the century. (more details)
A detailed chart of the environs of the capital of Menorca!
This is a 1956 Depósito Hidrográfico nautical chart or maritime map of Mahon Port on Menorca in the Balearic Islands. Depicting from just west of Mahon (the capital of Menorca) to the Mediterranean Sea and from Cabo Negra to the Cala de San Esteban, the map presents the region's navigational situation. The coastlines are illustrated with fantastic attention to detail, and depth soundings (given in meters) allow mariners a complete understanding of navigational hazards. Manuscript red and green circles mark lights and beacons. Both Mahon and Villacarlos are detailed as well, although no streets are labeled. The military hospital on Hospital Island, the Mahon and Villacarlos cemeteries, and the ruins of the Malborough Fort are also identified. Profile views of the region from the northwest and the southwest are situated just above the bottom border. (more details)
Considered by British clubbers to be the clubbing capital of the world.
This is a 1956 Depósito Hidrográfico nautical chart or maritime map of San Antonio Port on Ibiza in the Balearic Islands. Today known as Sant Antoni de Portmany, the city of San Antonio is situated along the map's right side, offering mariners an unobstructed depiction of the port's approaches. Depth soundings in meters occupy the innermost parts of the bay. Lines across the bay, and the Balearic Sea mark off ten-meter increments of open ocean. A handful of locations are noted in the region, including a house and group of huts. Manuscript notations indicate a pier that moved slightly to the west since one is marked by dashed lines and the other by solid lines. Other manuscript additions illustrate buildings and the extension of a road. The cemetery has also been crossed out in manuscript. (more details)
Before the clubs.
This is a 1957 Depósito Hidrográfico nautical chart or maritime map of Ibiza and Formentera Islands. Depicting both islands in full, Spanish language manuscript notations appear along the right side of Ibiza in blue ink and provide information concerning La Losa Santa Eulalia. More manuscript notations in red and green ink mark locations closer to the coast and a sketch of a house is situated near Can Planetas. Cities and towns throughout Ibiza are labeled, including San Antonio (recognized as the world's clubbing capital) and St. Vincent. Lines mark changes in ocean depth close to the coast in ten-meter increments. Further from the coastline, the intervals become 100 meters. Profile views of Ibiza and Formentera frame the central map on all four sides. (more details)