J. F. W. Des Barres
(Barre Publishing Co. Reproductions 1967-1968)

The Atlantic Neptune was the first great marine atlas, published in England in 1774, to contain both charts and views of the North American coasts. The charts were intensely detailed and contained both hydrographical and topographical details, and were of such quality that they were in use as the standard charts of the East coast for over 50 years.

The Neptune was compiled and published for the Royal Navy by Joseph F. W. Des Barres, a Swiss who became a British subject and who came to America with the Royal American Regiment in 1756, as an engineer/surveyor. He fought in the French and Indian wars and from 1764-1773 he surveyed the coasts of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and the St. Lawrence River regions, while his fellow surveyor, Samuel Holland & others, surveyed the New England coast and points to the southward.

In 1774 Des Barres returned to England to begin the monumental task of compiling his great atlas which he reissued and updated over the next 10 years. In 1784 he was appointed Lt. Governor of Cape Breton Island and subsequently became Lt. Governor of Prince Edward Island; finally dying in Halifax in 1824 at the age of 102.

In the 1960's the Barre Publishing Company attempted to republish the Atlantic Neptune in its entirety, but due to financial difficulties the project was never totally completed.

The reproductions were printed in offset lithography from the original plates and hand colored in watercolor, as the originals. They were printed on a rag content paper similar to the 18th. century paper of the originals.

While, at the time, we had a complete set of the Barre Co's reproductions, the following sheets are the last items left in our collection of these stunning charts.

Photos shown on listings are thumbnail versions.
Double click on thumbnails for a larger picture.

Measurements are given in inches, height first, then width.
This refers to printed image only. Margins are extra.

Glossary of Map Terms

Search tip!

See also our listings for US-Canada, New York, Massachusetts
and Caribbean, for additional Des Barres repro items.

DB101 - “Chart of Portland Sound to Cape Small.” 1776. (Casco Bay, Maine.) 2 sheets. Each. 29X21. Can be joined for framing. 

DB103 - “A Chart of the Delawar River From Bombay Hook to Ridley Creek with Soundings etc. taken by Lt. Knight of the Navy, Composed and Published for the Use of Pilotage by J. F. W. Des Barres Esq. June 1779”. and “A Plan of Delawar River from Chester to Philadelphia Shewing the Situation of His Majesty's Ships Etc. on the 15th. Nov. 1777. Surveyed and Sounded by Lieutenant John Hunter of the Navy”. two plans on one sheet. 30X22. 

DB104 - Engraved view. “The Phoenix & the Rose Engaged by the Enemy's Fire Ships & Galleys on the 16th Aug. 1776.  Engraved from the Original Picture by D. Serres, from a sketch of Sir James Wallace's”. (The British ships were engaged by the American Fireships opposite Dobbs Ferry in the Hudson River, New York.) Image size 13½X21 with wide margins. 

DB105 - “A Chart of Delawar Bay with Soundings and Nautical Observations taken by Capt. Sir Andrew Snape Hammond of the Navy, and others Composed and Published for the Use of Pilotage by J. F. W. Des Barres Esq, June 1st. 1779”. (Delaware Bay from Cape May N. J. to Bacon's Neck.) 1 sheet. 30X22. 

DB106 - “Eaton's Neck to New York Bay”, (North shore of Long Island, New York.) 2 sheets. Each 28½X22. Can be joined for framing. 

DB107 - “Chart of Newberryport to Cape Elizabeth” 1776. (Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Maine.) 1776. 2 sheets. Each 29X21. Can be joined for framing. 

DB108 - “Pennsylvania Counties of Newcastle, Chester, Philadelphia and Bucks”. (Delaware River showing Philadelphia and Wilmington, and part of New Jersey.) 1777. 2 sheets. Each sheet 30X21. Can be joined for framing. 

DB109 - “A Plan of the Posts of York and Gloucester in the Province of Virginia. Established by His Majesty's Army under the Command of Lieut. General Cornwallis, together with the Attacks and Operations of the American & French Forces Commanded by General Washington and the Count of Rochambeau, Which Terminated in the Surrender of the Posts and Army on the 17th. of October 1781. Surveyed by Captn. Foge of the Royal Artillery”. London 1782. 2 sheets each 29½X20½. (Can be joined for framing.) 

Grace Galleries, Inc.
20 West Cundy's Point Road
Harpswell, ME 04079
Phone (207) 729-1329 - Fax (207) 729-0385
E-mail jackie@gracegalleries.com 

Glossary of Map Terms

Return to Category Listings

Home Page — Highlights — About Antique Maps