Old Gulf of Palma Nautical Chart by Heather, 1802: Sardinia, Sant' Antioco, Isola di San Pietro

Step into the Past with "The Gulf of Palma in Sardinia" by William Heather

Embark on a historical voyage with the exquisite "The Gulf of Palma in Sardinia," a masterful creation by the renowned British hydrographer William Heather from the year 1802. This chart not only serves as a navigational tool but also as a window into the early 19th-century maritime landscape of the Mediterranean. Heather, celebrated for his detailed and precise marine charts, presents this piece from his scarce collection, Heather's New Mediterranean Pilot. The map is particularly interesting for its orientation with east at the top, a characteristic that sets it apart from conventional map orientations and reflects a specific navigational purpose.

This rare chart meticulously delineates the southern coast of Sardinia, including the strategically important islands of Sant' Antioco and Isola di San Pietro. It is enhanced with soundings, anchorages, and some topographical features, which are vital for understanding the maritime routes and harbor approaches of the time. These elements not only add to the map's utility for early sailors but also to its value as a historical document, capturing the essence of naval exploration and the geopolitical significance of Sardinia within the Mediterranean context.

The detail extends beyond the mere outline of coastlines; it encapsulates the vibrant life of the region through its depiction of mountain ranges, rivers, and the locations of towns and villages. Notably, it includes Palma, the historic capital, serving as a crucial reference point for both contemporary travelers and modern historians. This level of detail provides a fascinating glimpse into the geographical and cultural landscape of Sardinia during a period of significant maritime activity and territorial negotiations.

As a piece of cartographic history, "The Gulf of Palma in Sardinia" stands out as a testament to the skill and meticulous efforts of William Heather. His work not only guided the mariners of his time but continues to intrigue and inform those interested in the art of navigation and cartography. The map’s rarity and historical importance make it an invaluable collectible for enthusiasts and scholars alike, offering a unique perspective on Mediterranean maritime history.

In conclusion, owning this chart is not just about possessing a rare artifact; it's about inheriting a piece of maritime heritage that offers endless insights into the navigational challenges and achievements of the early 19th century. "The Gulf of Palma in Sardinia" is more than just a map; it is a historical document, an art piece, and a collector's item, all rolled into one, promising to be a prized addition to any collection, enriching both the mind and the aesthetic appeal of its setting.

Notable Places on This Map

• The Gulf of Palma in Sardinia
• The southern part of Sardinia
• The islands of Sant' Antioco and Isola di San Pietro

Notable Features & Landmarks

• The coastline of the Gulf of Palma
• Surrounding mountains and rivers
• Locations of several towns and villages, including Palma, the capital of Sardinia

Historical and Design Context

• Created by William Heather in 1802
• Part of Heather's New Mediterranean Pilot, a collection of charts of the Mediterranean Sea
• A rare example of a chart from this collection, extremely rare on the market
• Oriented with east at the top
• Includes soundings, some topographical features, and anchorages
• Provides a snapshot of the Gulf of Palma in Sardinia in the early 19th century
• An important historical document that offers insights into the geography and maritime significance of Sardinia during the early 19th century

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.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

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.