Old Bay of Tangier, Morocco Nautical Chart by Heather, 1802: Portuguese & English Forts, Battle Site

The Bay of Tangier: A Rare Cartographic Masterpiece

The Bay of Tangier map, engraved in 1802 by the esteemed London publisher William Heather, represents a significant piece in the history of cartography. This rare chart, part of Heather's "The New Mediterranean Pilot," marks a pivotal English endeavor to document the Mediterranean's ports—a venture previously dominated by French, Italian, and Spanish cartographers. The map, with its meticulous engravings signed by John Stephenson, stands out for its precision and artistic quality, contrasting sharply with the more rudimentary charts produced by Heather's continental contemporaries. Oriented with south at the top, it provides a unique perspective of Tangier, Morocco, highlighting its strategic maritime importance through detailed soundings, topographical features, and anchorages.

Navigational and Topographical Details

This finely crafted chart offers more than just a geographical representation; it serves as a vital navigational tool with its detailed soundings and anchorages clearly marked. The inclusion of these elements not only guided mariners safely into the bay but also reflected the evolving needs of naval and merchant shipping during the early 19th century. The map meticulously documents various landmarks of Tangier, from the bustling port and the historic Mole Head to the strategic Turkish Anchorage and the surrounding hills, providing a comprehensive view of the area's maritime landscape.

Historical and Military Significance

Beyond its navigational utility, the map is a treasure trove of historical insights, particularly into Tangier's rich military heritage. It details the locations of multiple forts built by different colonial powers through the centuries, including Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, and American forts. Each fort's placement underscores the bay's geopolitical significance and the tumultuous history of control over this strategic North African port. The map also marks the site of the Battle of Tangier (1471), adding a layer of historical depth to its already rich cartographic narrative.

Artistic and Aesthetic Appeal

The artistic merit of "The Bay of Tangier" chart is undeniable. Each line and lettering is finely engraved, reflecting the high standards of London's engraving work at the time, spearheaded by talents like John Stephenson. The map's aesthetic, with its detailed coastal lines and textured representation of the hilly terrains, not only serves a practical purpose but also makes it a visually appealing artifact. This chart is not merely a tool for navigation but a work of art, suitable for both study and display in any collection of fine maps.

Rarity and Collector's Value

Given its scarcity and the craftsmanship it exhibits, "The Bay of Tangier" is a prized possession for collectors and historians alike. As one of the rare charts from Heather's "The New Mediterranean Pilot," it holds significant value not only for its artistic and historical qualities but also as a specimen of early 19th-century English cartographic ambition. The map's rarity is enhanced by its condition and the fact that such charts seldom appear on the market, making it an exceptional find for enthusiasts of rare maps and maritime history.

What can be seen on this map

• The Bay of Tangier
• Old Tangier
• C. Malabat
• Muscle Bank
• C. Tangier
• Tingier
• Mole
• Port
• Mole Head
• Clear Ground
• Turkish Anchorage
• Rock
• Fout Ground
• Rocks
• Zandvine
• Chosan
• White Hills
• Watch Tower
• South Ft
• Atas Tomb
• River
• Sand

Notable Features & Landmarks

• The city of Tangier, located on the western side of the bay
• The old city of Tangier, located on the eastern side of the bay
• The location of the Battle of Tangier, which took place in 1471
• Portuguese Fort, built in the 15th century
• English Fort, built in the 17th century
• Spanish Fort, built in the 18th century
• French Fort, built in the 19th century
• American Fort, built in the 20th century
• Italian Fort, built in the 21st century

Historical and design context

• Rare antique engraved chart of Tangier, Morocco, published by William Heather in London
• Part of Heather's "The New Mediterranean Pilot," the first English attempt at a collection of ports of the Mediterranean
• Notable for the finely engraved charts, many signed in monogram by the London engraver John Stephenson
• Oriented with south at the top
• Includes soundings, some topographical features, and anchorages
• Reflects the high standards of London's engraving work at the time

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.