1790 " Great Britains Coasting Pilot being A NEW SURVEY of the Sea Coast by Capt Greenvile Collins Hydrographer to his Majesty "

Fine example of the decorative title page from Grenville Collins' Great Britain's Coasting Pilot. This sumptuous Baroque composition is centred on a merman holding up a scallop shell featuring the atlas's title, while to the sides are Britannia and Neptune. Below mermen and mermaids hold forth a chart of Great Britain, while the entire composition is surmounted by the Royal Arms.

In 1681, Captain Grenville Collins (fl. 1679-93) was commissioned by Charles II to chart the coasts of Great Britain. Collins produced his Great Britain's Coasting Pilot in 1693, which has the distinction of being the first original sea atlas to be produced by an Englishman and the first sea atlas dedicated solely to the coasts of the British Isles.

Excellent condition. Overall size approx 31 x 50cm.