DESCRIPTION: Scarce and attractive antique copper-plate engraved map of the Bering (Behring) Strait and Gulf of Alaska by John Luffman. This small but fine map extends past 70 degrees north latitude. The Bering Strait is a narrow body of water that links the Arctic Ocean with the Bering Sea and separates the continents of Asia and North America ( Alaska ) at their closest point. Some portions of the Alaska and Asia coasts not well explored at the time are shown with dotted lines, reflecting the uncertainty about their geography.
Key locations noted by Luffman include Bristol Bay, Cook River, Cape Prince of Wales, Cape Stephens, Cape Mulgrave, Cape Lisburn, Round Island, Norton Sound, and Trinity Island at the southern tip of the Kodiak Archipelago (not shown in its entirety).
Bering's strait averages 100 to 165 feet in depth and at its narrowest point is about 53 miles wide. About 20,000 years ago, during the Ice Age, the sea level fell by several hundred feet, making the strait into a land bridge between Asia and North America, over which the migration of plants and animals and humans occurred.
From "Luffman's Select Plans of the Principal Cities, Harbors, Forts etc. in the World". Engraved and published by John Luffman, No. 28 Little Bell Alley, Coleman Street, February, 1802. Volume II; Number 67.
PUBLICATION DATE: 1802
GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States
BODY OF WATER: Bering Strait
CONDITION: Very Good.
A fine example. On robust paper with very wide margins. A hint of age toning at the margins. Tiny marginal tear repaired from verso.
COLORING: Attractive old hand coloring.
ENGRAVER: Luffman
SIZE: 5
" x
6 "
ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 3
PRICE: $280
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