ARTIST: Joshua Fisher
PUBLISHER: Published by Andrew Dury, London.
MEDIUM: Copper plate engraving,
DATE: 1776.
EDITION SIZE: 18 x 27 1/8" (45.6 x 69 cm) plus title and margins.
DESCRIPTION: Joshua Fisher's highly important chart of the Delaware Bay. Joshua Fisher (1707-1783) was a prominent Philadelphia merchant who was involved in the transatlantic trade. Encouraged by pilots and captains, he studied navigation and over a period of years drew a navigational chart of Delaware Bay and River. This chart was produced with the express purpose of aiding pilots in bringing ships into Philadelphia. The first edition was engraved by James Turner and printed in Philadelphia in 1756. The first edition was not sold publicly due to the order of Governor Robert Morris who was concerned that it could fall into the hands of the French during the French and Indian War. It was later updated and re-engraved with another edition being published in Philadelphia in 1775 and this example, published in London by Andrew Dury. It remained the standard chart for navigation to and from Philadelphia for almost a century.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
CONDITION: Good condition. Black & white
REFERENCE: Sellers & Van Ee #1359 a.