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Title: A New Chart of the World on Mercators Projection
- Author: William Darton
- Date: 1819
- Condition: Mounted to board - some scuffing around edges
- Inches: 16 3/8 x 12 3/8 [Paper]
- Centimeters: 41.59 x 31.43 [Paper]
- Product ID: 308568
This highly detailed map features an elegant hand-engraved and hand-colored representation of global geography, with sharply defined political boundaries, period-accurate place names, and distinct pastel washes highlighting each continent, all set within a neatly bordered frame that incorporates comprehensive navigational tables, precise latitude and longitude grids, and elaborate marginal instructions for reference and calculation.
Surrounding this map are extensive manuscript annotations and navigational tables, meticulously inscribed in ink by a contemporary hand, which document latitude, longitude, courses, distances, and directions for maritime routes between various ports and landmarks. At the top and bottom margins, tabulated columns record details such as latitude and longitude positions, “Diff of Long” and “Diff of Lat,” calculated distances in miles or nautical leagues, directions of travel (including compass bearings like S.E., S.W., N.N.W., and N.N.S.E.), and the relative course for each voyage segment. On the left margin, a vertical scale appears to tally geographic measurements or perhaps facilitate mathematical conversions for navigation. Each tabular entry references a specific location or voyage—such as “Latitude of Fernando,” “St. Helena,” or “Canton in China”—underscoring the practical use of the chart for planning or recording actual maritime routes during the early 19th century.
Background on Creator
William Darton Sr. (1755–1819) was a notable British publisher specializing in children’s books, operating his business in London on Gracechurch Street. Born in Tottenham as the son of an innkeeper, John Darton, he was apprenticed as an engraver before establishing himself as a publisher and bookseller. Darton produced numerous maps, atlases, and educational materials, including geographical games and puzzle maps designed to instruct youth in geography. His work often combined cartographic detail with engaging formats, such as dissected maps and games, reflecting the educational trends of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Among his notable publications are detailed maps of North America and thematic charts, including those related to Captain James Cook’s voyages. The Darton family continued his legacy in publishing, with his son William Darton Jr. and later descendants remaining active in the industry. William Darton Sr.'s contributions are recognized for blending cartography, education, and children's literature during a formative period in British publishing.