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Extremely detailed chart of the North Sea by one of the United Kingdom's greatest 19th-century chart makers.
East is oriented at the top, with the image bounded roughly by Jutland at the top, Calais at the right, Inverness at the bottom, and Trondheim Fjord at the left. The map includes nine inset charts, including: Berge; Arendal Inlet; Christiansand; Approaches to Christiansund; Farn Islands; Bridlington Bay; and Hasborough.
Perhaps the most charming features of the map are the illustrations of lighthouses and navigational aids scattered along the coasts.
James Imray was a publisher specialized in nautical charts. He started one of the most successful blue-back chart-selling companies of the nineteenth century; it is still in business today. Imray’s father was a dyer and he was born in Spitalfields, London, an area known for its garment industry. James did not want to enter the garment trade, however, and instead apprenticed to Stationer William Lukyn in 1818. Imray began his business as a book publisher and seller; however, he shared premises with Robert Blachford, a chartseller. Imray entered into business with Robert’s successor, Michael. He turned the business into a success and bought Blachford out in 1846, publishing under the imprint of James Imray. In 1854, son James Frederick joined as a partner and the imprint changed to Imray & Son. They thrived thanks to targeted marketing and excellent compilation charts that focused on trade routes. The busines entered in a long decline after the death of James Sr. in 1870. In 1899, Imray & Son amalgamated with Norie & Wilson. This conglomerate was bought by the Laurie firm in 1904 and today the business trades as Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson.
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