Old Port of Trapani, Sicily Nautical Chart by Heather, 1802: Italy, Fortifications, Salt Pits, Fishing Huts

The Port of Trapano: A Nautical Chronicle of 1802

The Port of Trapano, meticulously charted by William Heather in 1802, stands as a quintessential example of early 19th-century nautical cartography. This chart, a critical piece of Heather's The New Mediterranean Pilot, delineates the intricate details of the Sicilian coastline, focusing on the strategic port town of Trapani. Its significance is manifold; not only does it serve as a navigational aid, highlighting water depths, hazards, and landmarks, but it also encapsulates a snapshot of maritime life in the Mediterranean during a time of burgeoning English naval interest in the region. The chart's precision and detail reflect the heightened need for accurate maritime charts as English ships ventured more frequently into Mediterranean waters.

Intricate Details and Local Features

Heather's chart is far more than a simple guide; it is a rich tapestry of local geography and human activity. It meticulously marks the salt pits and fishing huts that were integral to Trapani's local economy, alongside the more monumental features such as the Torre di Ligny and the Lazzaretto di Trapani. Each of these features is not just a point on a map but a doorway into the daily lives of those who lived and worked in Trapani in the early 1800s. The inclusion of such details offers a vivid glimpse into the socio-economic conditions of the time, making this chart a valuable resource for both navigators and historians.

Artistry in Cartography

The aesthetic appeal of the chart cannot be overstated. Engraved by John Stephenson, a noted London engraver, the map is a work of art in its own right. Stephenson’s craftsmanship is evident in the finesse of the engraving, with each line and letter carefully rendered to produce a chart that is both functional and visually striking. This level of detail and artistic quality sets Heather's work apart from contemporary French and Italian nautical charts, which were often more utilitarian in design.

Historical and Navigational Significance

From a historical perspective, this chart is a rare artifact. As part of the first English collection of Mediterranean ports, it represents a significant moment in the history of cartography and naval exploration. The chart not only guided the mariners of its time but also helped establish English presence and trade routes in the Mediterranean, competing with the already established French, Italian, and Spanish charts. Its rarity and uniqueness add to its value, not just as a tool for navigation but as a collector's item and a piece of maritime history.

A Collector’s Jewel

For connoisseurs of cartography, maritime history, or simply lovers of rare historical documents, The Port of Trapano chart is an invaluable acquisition. It offers a window into the past, bringing to life the maritime routes that were once sailed by 19th-century navigators. Owning such a chart is akin to possessing a fragment of history, a narrative of adventures and endeavors on the high seas, captured forever in ink and paper by the skilled hands of William Heather and John Stephenson. This chart is not merely a map but a legacy of the age of sail, preserved through the meticulous art of cartography.

Notable Places on This Map

• Levace I.
• Port Levace
• Porci I.
• Mag
• True
• Var 15 West
• Malconeitio I.
• Fort
• Point Trapano
• Formicolal
• Colombara I.
• The Port of Trapano
• Port Favognano
• Tower
• Favognano I.
• Axinelo I.
• Guiliano
• Old Trapano
• Shoal
• Castle
• Notre Dame de Trapano
• Salt Pits
• Lanociata
• Paceca
• Fishing Huts
• Tor
• Dimeco
• Scale of Miles

Notable Features & Landmarks

• The coastline of Sicily and surrounding islands
• The town of Trapani and surrounding villages and towns
• The port of Trapani and surrounding fortifications
• Salt pits of Trapani
• Fishing huts of Trapani
• Torre di Ligny, a 16th-century watchtower
• Lazzaretto di Trapani, an 18th-century quarantine station
• Tonnara di Favignana, an 18th-century tuna trap

Historical and Design Context

• Title: The Port of Trapano
• Mapmaker/Publisher: William Heather
• Published: 1802 in London as part of Heather's The New Mediterranean Pilot
• Design/Style: Finely engraved chart, signed in monogram by London engraver John Stephenson
• Historical Significance: Rare example of an early English nautical chart of the Mediterranean Sea
• Themes: Nautical chart showing water depths, hazards to navigation, landmarks, and other navigational information
• Countries and Regions: Focus on the Mediterranean Sea, specifically Italy and Sicily

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

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I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

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My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.