Eldridge, George W.
1914

Bold Antique Chart of Newport Rhode Island

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Geo. W. Eldridge's Harbor Chart: Newport, Rhode Island

DESCRIPTION: SOLD

Elegant, simple and useful early 20th-century antique nautical chart of Newport, Rhode Island harbor ca. 1914. Nearby points of interest include the Brenton Reef light-ship, Pirate's Cave, Castle Hill, Fort Dumpling, Coaster's Harbor Island, Dutch Island, Beaver Head, Jamestown and Sanderstown . Cartography by George W. Eldridge. Watermarked paper "Resolute Ledger".

Much useful information including soundings, anchorages, ranges, buoys, and bottom composition are presented by Eldridge in a clear graphic style that would have been appreciated by and helpful to mariners. For instance, this chart of Newport, R.I. is printed with bold black coastal outlines that would have been much easier to read under poor lighting conditions. Lighthouses, buoys, and other aids to navigation are highlighted in red or green.

Published by Wilfrid O. White of Boston, Massachusetts. White was G. W. Eldridge's son-in-law who continued to sell Eldridge's charts after his death until 1932.

Attribution reads: 'AUTHORIZED and PUBLISHED By Geo. W. Eldridge, Kelvin & Wilfrid O. White Co. 112 State Street, Boston. 38 Water Street, New York ' Number 34 in Eldridge's book of harbor charts.

George Washington Eldridge (1845-1914)

George Washington Eldridge (1845-1914) was an American cartographer, publisher, and sailor. He was born on October 23, 1845, in Chatham, Massachusetts, United States, and was the son of the famous cartographer and hydrographer George Eldridge (1821-1900). The Eldridges are among the best known private publishers of nautical charts during the 19th century, they published their own charts in competition with the U.S. Coast Survey.

Eldridge grew up in a family of sailors and was trained by his father in cartography and navigation. In 1866, at the age of 21, he started working for his father's chart-making and publishing business, which was based in Chatham. Later, he took over the business and expanded it, adding new products such as sailing guides, tide tables, and nautical almanacs.

Eldridge's most famous publication was the "Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book," which he first published in 1875. The book became an essential resource for sailors and navigators along the East Coast of the United States and remains in publication to this day. He also created charts and maps for the U.S. Navy during the Spanish-American War.

In addition to his work as a cartographer and publisher, Eldridge was an accomplished sailor who participated in several yacht races and regattas. G.W. was also a member of the Boston Yacht Club and served as its commodore from 1898 to 1900. One of Eldridge's most significant accomplishments was the construction of a new clubhouse for the Boston Yacht Club. Eldridge led the effort to raise funds and oversee the construction of the new facility, which was located on the waterfront in Marblehead, Massachusetts.

Source: Guthorn, Peter. United State Coastal Charts: 1783 - 1861. Exton, Pennsylvania. 1984. p. 12.

CREATOR: Eldridge, George W.

PUBLICATION DATE: 1914

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States

BODY OF WATER: Newport Harbor

CONDITION: Very Good. Clean on strong pages with adequate margins.

COLORING: None

ENGRAVER:

SIZE: 19 " x 14 "

ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 0

PRICE: $

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