U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey
1854

1854 U.S. Coast Survey Progress Map of the Florida Reefs and Keys

DESCRIPTION: 1854 U.S. Coast Survey map showing the progress of surveying along the Florida Reefs between 1849 and 1854, prepared under superintendent A. D. Bache. Titled Sketch F. No. 2, Showing the Progress of the Survey of the Florida Reefs, the sheet combines coverage of Key Biscayne, Biscayne Bay, and the upper Florida Keys with separate inset maps of Key West, the Dry Tortugas, Bahia Honda, and Coffins Patches.

A dense network of triangulation lines connects named survey stations across the islands, reefs, and coastal waters. These geometric frameworks record the work used to establish positions for subsequent detailed coastal mapping. Numerous keys, channels, banks, and shoreline features are identified, with Florida Bay and Barnes Sound providing geographic context.

The sheet documents the Coast Survey's developing coverage of southern Florida, emphasizing survey progress and control networks rather than the depth soundings of a finished navigational chart. The Key West and Dry Tortugas insets extend its coverage to the western end of the island chain.

CREATOR: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey

PUBLICATION DATE: 1854

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States

BODY OF WATER: Barnes Sound

CONDITION: Good. Laid down to heavy linen.

COLORING: N/A

ENGRAVER:

SIZE: " x "

ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 87

PRICE: $125

ADD TO CART

This web site provides security by Rapid SSL

Similar items:

4770	Large Antique Chart of The Florida Keys Fine antique British Admiralty sea chart with cartographic coverage of the islands of the Florida Keys. Hydrographic data on this early 1866 British navigational chart exte . . .	Details	1920	British-Admiralty-Hydrographical-Office	Large-Antique-Chart-of-The-Florida-Keys	Fine antique British Admiralty sea chart with cartographic coverage of the islands of the <b>Florida Keys</b>. Hydrographic data on this early 1866 British navigational chart extend past Key West. Though updated to 1920, this scarce survivor retains the appearance of a 19th-century British copperplate-engraved nautical chart, a visual charm more recent charts do not generally possess. <br></br> An inset diagram shows an example <b>navigational beacon</b>, made of iron, 36 feet in height and carrying an identifying letter within a moveable vane. These beacons, or day marks, delineated the southern boundary of the Florida Keys. The accompanying note states: <br></br> <div class="indenttextblock"> <img src="/PageImages/Beacon for 4770.jpg" alt="Florida keys navigational beacons (day marks)" width="120" align="left" style="margin: 0px 20px"> "The Beacons marking the outer Florida Reefs are distinguished by Letter or Numbers in the vane which each carries, commencing off Key West and proceeding in alphabetical or numerical order toward Cape Florida. With the exceptions of that American Shoal which is brown and that on Fowey Rock which is black, the Beacons are all painted white. These beacons are likely to be washed away." </div> <br></br>Manuscript notations in pencil from a previous owner record eight of the beacons as "damaged." <br></br> This chart of Lower Matacumbe Cay to Boca Grande Cay should be treasured by anyone with interests in fishing, sailing, or boating in the Florida Keys. <br></br> After U.S. Coast Survey charts from the last half of the 19th century. First published by the British Admiralty on July 18, 1866, with several editions and later corrections after, the last correction in 1920. Originally sold by J.D. Potter, agents, London. Chart no. 1098.
5047	Depression era pictorial brochure 1st Edition map The Coral Isle of Key West Two scarce maps of Key West, Florida in a visitor's guide booklet simply titled "Key West" published by the Key West Administration in 1935. The booklet is a product of the Public . . .	Details	1935	Dornbush--Adrian	Depression-era-pictorial-brochure-1st-Edition-map-The-Coral-Isle-of-Key-West	Two scarce maps of Key West, Florida in a visitor's guide booklet simply titled "Key West" published by the Key West Administration in 1935. The booklet is a product of the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) during the New Deal that was succeeded by the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). <div class="indenttextblocksingle"> "Public Works of Art Project artists from other parts of the country were brought in and put to work creating paintings, murals or public places, and other projects, such as tourist brochures and postcards." [1] </div> </br> The brochure includes a fine 1st edition pictorial map (9" x 6") of Key West, Florida: "The Coral Isle of Key West" by artist Adrian Dornbush, 1935. The map (first edition) was engraved on a "miraculous" scale and shows key landmarks such as Duval Street, the lighthouse, the Martello Towers, and the yacht basin. Other FERA artists who contributed works to the brochure include Edward Bruce, Richard Sargeant, Avery Johnson, Klir Beck, and Richard Jansen. <br></br> At center of the brochure is an anonymous two-sheet "Map of the Lower Florida Keys or the Key West Archipelago" (18" x 6") containing a smaller inset map of the Caribbean region. <br></br> Printed by Orange Publishing Co. St. Cloud, Florida. <br></br> [1] https://keysarts.com/public_art/wpa.html <br> [2] <a href="https://www.rarecharts.com/ShowDetail/Creator/Dornbush--Adrian/Title/Depression-era-pictorial-brochure-with-variant-2nd-Edition-map-Coral-Isle-of-Key-West/5493" target="_blank">See the second edition here.</a>
5052	Map of Key West Florida Scarce map of Key West Florida in booklet "Fifth Annual Tourists Sight Seeing Guide of Key West Florida 1933 Courtesy of Key West Business People". Locations identified numericall . . .	Details	1931	Rice--George-T-	Map-of-Key-West-Florida	Scarce map of Key West Florida in booklet "Fifth Annual Tourists Sight Seeing Guide of Key West Florida 1933 Courtesy of Key West Business People". Locations identified numerically on the map appear not to correspond to numbered locations in the booklet. It is informative to compare this map with a very similar sightseeing map (1945-1948) in the Touchton Map Library. Numerous changes to Key West related to WWII are apparent, especially the construction of Meacham Field. <br></br> Booklet 3.5" x 7" with advertisements for local Key West businesses including: The Artman Press, The Key West Citizen, Gardner's Pharmacy, Columbia Laundry, The Key West Colonial Hotel and more. With a list of facts about Key West and a description of a tour of local sights including the "turtle crawls": <div class="indenttextblocksingle"> "3. Visit the turtle crawls where turtles weighing over two hundred pounds may be seen swimming by dozens in pens while waiting to be slaughtered. Turtles have been caught near Key West weighing over one thousand pounds. This is a sight to remember. Located: Dock at North end of Margaret street." </div></br> The map was compiled under the direction of George T. Rice, Captain 13th C.A. (Coast Artillery). Drawn by A.D. Shirk, Staff Sergeant, 13th C.A. July 10, 1931.
5443	Scarce antique chart of Key West Harbor and Approaches A scarce 107 year-old chart of Key West Harbor and its approaches in Florida. A nice example, scarce to find with process color from this era. Published by the US . . .	Details	1914	U-S--Coast-and-Geodetic-Survey	Scarce-antique-chart-of-Key-West-Harbor-and-Approaches	A scarce 107 year-old chart of Key West Harbor and its approaches in Florida. A nice example, scarce to find with process color from this era. <br></br> Published by the US Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1914, the chart shows Whitehead spit, east and west Martello Tower, Raccoon Key, and Stock Island. Coverage extends to the west as far as Boca Grande Key. Chart # 584. Price when issued was 50 cents.
5493	Public Works of Art Project brochure variant 2nd Edition map Coral Isle of Key West Two scarce maps including a rare presumed 2nd. "The Coral Isle of Key West" Florida in a visitor's guide booklet simply titled "Key West" published by the Key West Administration a . . .	Details	1935	Dornbush--Adrian	Public-Works-of-Art-Project-brochure-variant-2nd-Edition-map-Coral-Isle-of-Key-West	Two scarce maps including a rare presumed 2nd. "The Coral Isle of Key West" Florida in a visitor's guide booklet simply titled "Key West" published by the Key West Administration after 1935. The booklet is a product of the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) during the New Deal that was succeeded by the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). <div class="indenttextblocksingle"> "Public Works of Art Project artists from other parts of the country were brought in and put to work creating paintings, murals or public places, and other projects, such as tourist brochures and postcards." [1] </div><br> <div id="3" align="center"> <a title="Key West Booklet"></a> <img id="3" src="/ZoomifyImages/SC_5493/SC_5493_Cover_400x300.jpg" alt="Dornbush pictorial map The Coral Isle of Key West." width="240"/> </div> <br /> Other FERA artists who contributed works to the brochure include Edward Bruce, Richard Sargeant, Avery Johnson, Klir Beck, and Richard Jansen.<br> </br> The brochure includes a fine 9" x 6" pictorial map of Key West, Florida: "The Coral Isle of Key West" by artist Adrian Dornbush, 1935. Second edition. This map is most interesting in that it is an <b>unrecorded substantial revision of Dornbush's original map of Key West.</b> This edition contains numerous changes from the first edition including: <div class="indenttextblocksingle"> <ul> <li>For the first time, an airport is noted in the location of Meacham Field, now Key West International Airport (EYW)</li> <li>Seaplane ramps at Trumbull Point (labeled "Key West Airways") are replaced with ship docks. </li> <li>Radio towers are now shown located at the island's west side near Duval Street.</li> </ul> </div> The map was engraved on a "miraculous" scale and shows key landmarks such as Duval Street, the lighthouse, the Martello Towers, and the yacht basin. <br></br>