Eldridge, George W. “George W. Eldridge’s Chart D Massachusetts Bay and the coast from Chatham to Boston and Gloucester.”

George W. Eldridge.  “George W. Eldridge’s Chart D Massachusetts Bay and the coast from Chatham to Boston and Gloucester.”  Separately issued chart backed on linen for rolling. 

Boston: George W. Eldridge, 1895.  36 1/2 x 49.  Lithograph.  Some marginal wear with soft creases upper left hand corner and old repair in top margin.  Repaired tear with linen archival tape on verso.  Otherwise, very good condition.  

George Eldridge (1821-1900) was a former captain of a fishing vessel out of Cape Cod and a local pilot, who, in 1851, produced his first chart when recuperating from an injury.  The success of this chart inspired him to continue with chart making, and Eldridge went on to produce many other fine charts of New England and the rest of the Atlantic coast.  His son, George W. Eldridge (1845-1914) took over his business, continuing to issue first rate charts popular with mariners because of their straight-forward designs and clarity.  Eldridge charts, like this one, were separately issued, lined with linen for ease of storage and use. 

This is Eldridge’s chart of his home waters, Massachusetts Bay and the coast from Chatham, up to the tip of Cape Cod and then around as far as Gloucester northeast of Boston.  Soundings are given throughout as are sailing directions.  The coast line is accurately depicted with principal features, including towns and light houses.  Also shown throughout are buoys, spars and beacons, identified in a key at bottom.  This map was sold by Edward C. Lord, a ship chandler from Vineyard Haven, whose stamp appears on the chart.