Chart of the Atlantic Ocean (2) — Antique Nautical Chart Print

Long before satellite positioning, Atlantic Ocean charts relied on a combination of celestial navigation and dead reckoning, with captains fixing their latitude by measuring the sun or North Star and estimating their longitude from compass heading and elapsed time. The chart's accuracy depended entirely on the quality of information fed back by returning ships, meaning that busier shipping lanes, like those linking Europe to the American colonies, tended to be mapped in far greater detail than more remote stretches of ocean. Each generation of Atlantic charts reflects not just improving surveying techniques but the changing pattern of transatlantic trade and travel itself.

Materials & origin

• Material: 200 gsm gallery-grade, acid-free fine-art paper (FSC-certified).
• Print: Archival giclée, 12-colour printing, smooth matte finish for glare-free display.
• Artwork: Restored from a public-domain original; colour and detail digitally cleaned for large-format print.
• Origin: Made on demand and shipped from the print hub nearest you, cutting transit and waste.
• Framing: Sold unframed; ships rolled in a protective tube.