Rare Old Nautical World Map by Heather, 1828: East India Company Nautical Pricking Chart

This exquisite nautical chart, "To the Officers in the Honorable East India Company's Service This Outline Chart Intended for their Use to prick-off a Ship's Track," is a remarkable artifact from the early 19th century, created by the renowned mapmaker William Heather. Originally printed in the 1810s and meticulously updated through 1830, this map offers a fascinating glimpse into the navigational practices of the time. Its primary function was to aid mariners in dead reckoning, a method of estimating a ship's position by marking its course and distance traveled from a known point. This chart is not only a tool for navigation but also a testament to the skill and precision of early cartographers.

The map's main topics revolve around nautical navigation and the tracking of maritime voyages. It showcases the routes between the coast of France, Marie Galante in the Caribbean, and Rio De Janeiro, reflecting the global reach of maritime exploration and trade during this period. The use of the Mercator Projection, favored for its ability to represent lines of constant course, highlights the map's practical application for sailors. This projection, combined with the detailed pricking marks, allowed mariners to plot their courses with remarkable accuracy, ensuring safer and more efficient voyages.

William Heather's expertise in creating navigational aids is evident in the map's intricate design. The chart includes various navigational aids such as compass roses, soundings (water depths in fathoms), and water channels, all essential for safe navigation. The presence of these features underscores the map's role as a comprehensive tool for mariners, providing them with the information needed to navigate the world's oceans. Heather's maps were highly regarded for their accuracy and attention to detail, making them invaluable resources for sailors of the time.

The geographical scope of the map is truly impressive, covering the entire world and highlighting major continents and oceans. It focuses on coastal regions, marking towns, harbors, and other navigational landmarks that were crucial for maritime navigation. The map also depicts various islands, particularly in the Caribbean and Pacific regions, along with common maritime routes. This extensive coverage not only reflects the state of geographical knowledge in the early 19th century but also the global nature of maritime exploration and trade.

The historical significance of this map cannot be overstated. As a rare survival from before 1840, it offers a unique window into the navigational techniques and maritime routes of the time. The map's association with the Honorable East India Company further enhances its historical value, as it was used by officers in one of the most influential trading companies of the era. This chart is not just a navigational tool but a piece of history, capturing the spirit of exploration and the advancements in cartography that defined the early 19th century.

Notable places on this map:

• North America: Coastal regions and major ports.
• South America: Coastal areas, particularly around Rio De Janeiro.
• Europe: Coastal regions, including major ports in France and the UK.
• Africa: Coastal areas and ports along the continent.
• Asia: Coastal regions, including parts of India and Southeast Asia.
• Australia (New Holland): Coastal regions and major landmarks.
• Caribbean: Islands such as Marie Galante.
• New Zealand: Coastal regions and notable landmarks.
• Atlantic Ocean: Various islands and navigational routes.
• Indian Ocean: Coastal features and maritime routes.

Notable Features & Landmarks:

• Geographical area: The map covers the entire world, showing major continents and oceans.
• Navigational aids: Includes compass roses and likely soundings (water depths in fathoms).
• Voyage tracks: Shows tracks of voyages, particularly between France, Marie Galante in the Caribbean, and Rio De Janeiro.
• Coastal features: Focuses on coastal towns, harbors, and other navigational landmarks.
• Mercator Projection: Used for accurate representation of navigational courses.
• Islands: Various islands are labeled and shown, particularly in the Caribbean and Pacific regions.
• Currents and water channels: Likely marked to aid in navigation.
• Maritime routes: Indicates common maritime routes used during the period.
• Historical context: Reflects the state of geographical knowledge and navigational techniques in the early 19th century.
• East India Company: Contextualizes the map's use by officers in the Honorable East India Company's service.

Historical and design context:

• Name of the map: "To the Officers in the Honorable East India Company's Service This Outline Chart Intended for their Use to prick-off a Ship's Track"
• Date created: Originally printed in the 1810s, updated in 1820, and later revised and corrected to 1830.
• Mapmaker/Publisher: William Heather
• Context about the mapmaker: William Heather was known for creating nautical charts and navigational aids during the 19th century.
• Topics and themes shown on the map:
• Nautical navigation: The map is used for pricking-off a ship's track, a method of dead reckoning to estimate a ship's position.
• Voyages: Tracks of voyages between the coast of France, Marie Galante in the Caribbean, and Rio De Janeiro.
• Mercator Projection: Preferred for tracking voyages at sea.
• Design or style of the map:
• Mercator Projection: This projection is useful for nautical navigation as it represents lines of constant course.
• Pricking marks: Used for dead reckoning, allowing mariners to mark their estimated position.
• Navigational aids: Likely includes soundings, compass roses, and water channels.
• Historical significance or context:
• Navigational aid: The map represents an important tool for mariners in the 19th century.
• Rare survival: Complete pricking maps from before 1830 are rare, making this a significant historical artifact.
• Dead reckoning: Demonstrates the navigational techniques used before the widespread adoption of more advanced methods.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.