Coast of South America from the River of the Amazons to the Bay of Panama

[thus titled on letterpress contents]. London: Hydrographical Office, various dates and sizes, 1807-1819.

Apparently published, yet unrecorded, collection of maritime charts of South America by the Hydrographical Office under the authority of Capt Thomas Hurd (c.1757-1823). The earliest charts are dated 1807 and 1808, and are published under the name of Alexander Dalrymple, the Hydrographer of the Royal Navy 1795-1808. After his death in office, Dalrymple was succeeded by Hurd, who professionalized the office and increased its efficiency. The printed letterpress contents leaf mounted on the front pastedown suggests these charts were published as a collected volume, reinforced by the fact that it calls this ‘Vol. I’, although we have not been able to trace a similar set of charts, let alone multiple volumes. The letterpress contents leaf omits Plan of the Channel formed by the English and Archimedes Banks which has been added in ink manuscript by a contemporary hand, as have chart numbers.

Quarto (329 x 325mm). 18 engraved charts of South American waters, of which 7 double-page and 2 double-page and folding ,Contemporary marbled-paper covered boards (rebacked and recornered).