A New and Accurate Chart (From Captain Holland's Surveys) of the North American Coast for the Navigation Between the Gulf of Florida and Philadelphia, published by Robert Laurie and James Whittle, London, 1798-1800, engraving on laid paper, 33 x 85 in.; unframedNote: This chart of the Atlantic Coast between the Florida Keys to the entrance to the Delaware Bay to Philadelphia is one of five charts in the Sever Collection known as a ?Blueback Chart? because of the blue paper backing that was pasted on the back to strengthen it. Bluebacks were drafted, printed, and sold by private London publishers and were preferred by merchant ship captains worldwide over those produced for the Admiralty because they were designed to meet the needs of specific routes. Often both the departure and the destination were incorporated within a single map and they generally contained a number of inset maps to assist with navigation into various ports along the way.Although blueback charts were often more expensive than charts produced by the British Admiralty, the cost was offset by the need for fewer of them due to the inclusion of the inset maps.Click here to read about this important American maritime collection from the Sever family and to view additional items from this collection. - Provenance: Captain James N. Sever (1761-1845), Captain USS Congress; by descent in family good overall considering the map was used during the early nineteenth century, 10 inch horizontal stitched repair along the right side (probably period), scattered creasing and light staining throughout, minor wear to edges, losses to blue paper back at left edge