Detailed chart of the West coast of Central America, from the Gulf of Caiifornia to Costa Rica. The only tack marked upon the chart is that of the Spanish Corvettes ‘Descubierta’ and ‘Atrevida’. The ships had been built for the Malaspina Expedition (1789-1794). The expedition was intended as a purely scientific endeavour, in much the same vein as the voyages of Cook, and La Perouse.

John William Norie (1772 – 1843) was a mathematician, hydrographer, chart maker and publisher of nautical books. His most famous work was the ‘Epitome of Practical Navigation’ (1805), which became the standard work on navigation and went through many editions. Norie began his career working with William Heather, who ran the Naval Academy and Naval Warehouse in Leadenhall Street from 1795, which sold navigational instruments, charts, and books on navigation. Norie took over the Naval Warehouse after Heather’s retirement and founded the company J.W. Norie and Company in 1813. After Norie’s death the company became Norie and Wilson, then in 1903 Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson.