Old Portofino Nautical Chart by Heather, 1802: Italian Riviera, Village, Forts, Soundings

The Plan of Porto Fino: A Nautical Masterpiece by William Heather

The Plan of Porto Fino, a rare and historically significant nautical chart, offers a meticulous portrayal of Portofino, a picturesque fishing village on the Italian Riviera. Created in 1802 by the esteemed London mapmaker William Heather, this chart is a key piece from Heather's pioneering work, "The New Mediterranean Pilot." Notably, this chart is oriented with west at the top, a unique feature that distinguishes it from many contemporary navigational maps. The detailed engravings capture the quaint essence of Portofino, showcasing its village layout, surrounding topographical features, and maritime elements such as soundings and anchorages, making it an invaluable resource for sailors of the time.

Navigational Details and Cartographic Elegance

This finely engraved chart is not just a tool for navigation but a work of art. The precision in the depiction of soundings—measurements of water depths—is crucial for understanding the coastal waters. These details are complemented by the strategic placements of navigational aids like the compass rose, which guides the mariner's understanding of direction relative to the chart’s unique orientation. The inclusion of Fort St. George and Fort St. Elmo points to the historical military significance of Portofino, serving as guardians of this coveted coastline. Each element on the map is rendered with such clarity and accuracy that it speaks volumes of Heather’s commitment to quality and detail in cartography.

A Glimpse into Portofino’s Maritime Infrastructure

Beyond its utility for navigation, the chart serves as a historical snapshot of Portofino's maritime infrastructure during the early 19th century. It meticulously marks the location of a chapel, a church, and the village layout, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of its inhabitants. The watering place and anchorage point highlighted on the map are indicative of the bustling activity that would have been present as sailors and traders frequented this port. These features not only add depth to the chart’s utility but also enrich our understanding of Portofino’s role in Mediterranean maritime history.

Comparative Significance in Mediterranean Cartography

"The Plan of Porto Fino" stands out as the first English attempt to chart the ports of the Mediterranean, a task previously dominated by French, Italian, and Spanish cartographers. Heather’s charts are renowned for their finesse, a stark contrast to the relatively crude execution of his continental counterparts. This chart, many of which are signed in monogram by the London engraver John Stephenson, exemplifies the high standards of British engraving work of the era, setting a new benchmark in the cartographic portrayal of the Mediterranean.

Rarity and Collectible Value

Given its rarity and the excellence of its execution, this chart is not only a navigational aid but a collectible artifact of maritime history. It represents a significant moment in the evolution of nautical charting and reflects the broader historical and cultural shifts of the early 19th century. For collectors and enthusiasts of maritime history, owning a piece like "The Plan of Porto Fino" is a rare opportunity to possess a fragment of cartographic heritage that beautifully encapsulates the art and science of mapmaking during a pivotal era.

Notable Places on This Map

• Town of Porto Fino
• Chapel
• Church
• Village
• Fort St. George
• Fort St. Elmo
• Watering place
• Anchorage point
• Cape Portofino
• Mount Muzzano

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Nautical chart with detailed soundings and navigational aids
• Compass rose indicating orientation with west at the top
• Detailed plan of the village of Portofino
• Soundings showing water depths in fathoms
• Locations of two forts, Fort St. George and Fort St. Elmo
• Location of a chapel, a church, and a village
• Location of a watering place and an anchorage point

Historical and Design Context

• Title: The Plan of Porto Fino
• Mapmaker/Publisher: William Heather, a notable mapmaker of the time
• Date of Publication: 1802
• Published in "The New Mediterranean Pilot" by William Heather
• First English attempt at a collection of ports of the Mediterranean
• Finely engraved chart, notable for its detailed execution
• Part of a rare collection, with charts seldom seen on the market
• Historical significance as a pioneering English nautical chart of Mediterranean ports

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.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

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.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

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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.