1910 Eldridge Chart of Vineyard Sound: Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket

This is George W. Eldridge's 1910 nautical map of Vineyard Sound, including Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island.

A Closer Look

Coverage follows the Lower and Mid Cape from Wood's Hole to Chatham, along with the Elizabeth Islands, and extends south to include both Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. The map is rich with hydrographic detail vital to navigators plying these infamously problematic seas, including currents, soundings, shows and riptides, the locations of lightships, and more. The legend locates 13 different types of buoys. It also notes fishing grounds.

Historical Context

By 1910, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket's famed whaling industry had vanished, but both islands continued to support large fishing fleets. The islands nonetheless continued to prosper as picturesque summer resorts for the affluent, particularly Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven. The island economies were driven by tourism, agriculture, and fishing, reflecting a blend of old New England traditions and the burgeoning hospitality industry. Nantucket, smaller and more isolated, retained much of its historic character, with its cobblestone streets, well-preserved whaling captain's homes, and serene landscapes. Both islands were accessible primarily by ferry, and their relatively untouched natural beauty and sense of seclusion made them attractive to artists, writers, and those in search of a peaceful escape from the urban hustle and bustle.

Publication History and Census

This is not the Eldridge firm's first map of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, but it is the first edition thus, part of the general update to the elder Eldridge's work compiled by his son, George Washington Eldridge.. This map was first drawn in 1910, replacing his earlier chart with new engraving, broader covering, and significantly updated content. The present example also bears the imprint of Charles C. Hutchinson, Eldridge's sales agent in Boston. This chart was popular and was reissued with regular updates until about 1928. However, first-edition examples are rare. OCLC cites only one example, located at the Boston Athenaeum. We note an additional holding at the Boston Public Library.