1771

Ed Little's cartographic map (vessel survey chart, scale 1" = 500 meters) showing where the Atocha (

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Documents Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 1,000.00 USD
Ed Little's cartographic map (vessel survey chart, scale 1  = 500 meters) showing where the Atocha (
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This item SOLD at 2012 Oct 27 @ 12:35UTC-4 : AST/EDT
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Ed Little's cartographic map (vessel survey chart, scale 1" = 500 meters) showing where the Atocha (1622) "mother lode" was pinpointed, with DVDs and an offprint of the Numismatist article "Coins of the Nuestra Senora de Atocha" in which the incident is highlighted, plus a copper commemorative medallion in promotional box. 42" x 41-1/2" (chart only). While it is impossible to boil down the finding of the Atocha (1622) into just one moment, surely the greatest of many milestones was when the location of the "mother lode" was pinpointed by cartographer Ed Little via sonar readings, and this is the actual chart where "X marks the spot." More accurately we should say "M.P." (for "main pile") marks the spot, for that is what you see at the end of a line drawn eastward from cannon and anchor finds to the west. Basically the chart is a transparency (somewhat browned from age) showing tangential lines of sonar readings pegged to two geodolite towers (marked WEST TOWER and EAST TOWER), which were placed in their positions based on finds made more to the north, including timbers from the Margarita. There is also a second page, a white underlay showing only the 1000m increments from the towers along with significant find spots, including the words ATOCHA MAIN PILE lining up with the handwritten M.P. on the main chart. A few tape marks and some odd yellow and red residue show that this was the actual, on-site chart, and not some promotional demonstration. Not a beautiful piece, to be sure, but of the utmost significance to treasure enthusiasts who appreciate the amazing story of Mel Fisher's successful pursuit of the Atocha. Pedigreed to the Edward J. Little collection.