BRITTANY. Manuscript maps, giving navigational instructions for Brittany (Brest) and Poitou (Rochefort and La Rochelle), [perhaps France or England, c.1685-1690].

BRITTANY. Manuscript maps, giving navigational instructions for Brittany (Brest) and Poitou (Rochefort and La Rochelle), [perhaps France or England, c.1685-1690].

In French, on two double-page sheets, brown ink on paper watermarked IHS monogram with cross above AI, and with fleur-de-lis on a crowned shield above 4 and WR, one sheet illustrated with detailed drawing of a 3-masted British ship, 2 large compasses, coastal settlements depicted, soundings numbered, 520 x 735mm

[With:] GUERNSEY. Manuscript map, of the northern tip of the island known as 'The Vale,' [perhaps France or England, c.1685-1690].

Manuscript map, seemingly intended for giving navigation, double-page sheets, pencil and ink and watercolour on paper watermarked IHS monogram with cross above AI, and with fleur-de-lis on a crowned shield above 4 and WR, the coastline delineated in blue, shoals and sandbanks in green/yellow, scale giving fathoms, soundings numbered, 520 x 735mm

Rare 18th-century manuscript maps, showing a British ship in French waters. The ship is beautifully detailed, with full rigging and a complement of 16 guns shown; she flies a Union Flag from the bowsprit. Apparently these maps are from the same atlas, on matching paper, the centrefolds on cloth stubs. The paper is of Dutch manufacture, and widely exported, so they could be of French or English origin. The maps relating to Brittany each have a large paragraph of text giving navigational notes on how to enter ports and avoid hazards such as sandbanks, contrary currents and tides.

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