EAST INDIA ARCHIPELAGO. [EASTERN PASSAGES TO CHINA & JAPAN] (CHART NO. 5)
James Imray
East India Archipelago. [Eastern Passages to China & Japan] (Chart No. 5)
Engraving, 1876.
48 3/4 x 40" plus margins.
Fair to good condition. There are several small holes and some damp staining within the image. The upper 6” of the chart are more time toned then the remainder. Several short tears along edges. Although not perfect, it is not too bad for a working sea chart. Black & white. LOCATION: New York City
Inventory Number: 43229
Price: $475.00 Publisher : London Published by James Imray & Son, 89 Minories and Tower Hill. A scarce large scale, two-sheet, blue-backed chart. On this chart the island of Papua or New Guinea is in the lower right, the upper half of Boero is in the lower left. In the upper left is portion of the Philippine Island of Mindanao.
Working sea charts are inherently rare due to the nature of their use aboard ships. Although likely common when first made, the vast majority of them were either destroyed by use or destroyed intentionally when new updated versions were obtained. We have no records of ever seeing this chart before.
James Imray, 1803-1870. Imray originally was in the stationary and account book publishing business. In 1836 Imray joined with Michael Blachford, a small sea chart publisher based in London. The partnership flourished and soon began to compete with the larger firm of Norie and Wilson. In 1846 Imray bought out Blachford, taking over as sole proprietor. The firm later, led by descendents, survived into the 20th century. Maps
