Rare chart of the eastern part of the Gulf, showing Oman, the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the south and the shores of Iran in the north. Unusually, the cartouche on this chart does not reference previous surveys of this area carried out by the Admiralty. Chief among these would have been the landmark survey carried out by Constable and Stiffe in 1857. A similar chart to which we had access again did not cite previous surveys although it did state that it was based on the most recent surveys to 1934. The cartouche here cites surveys to 1951, with a publishing imprint on the lower margin of 1952, suggesting that this was a compilation of the most recent surveys. This area was very active during the World War II as the Allies created the Gulf Command which was charged with defending the vital oil fields of the region particularly against submarines. It is likely that there were multiple new surveys performed during war time in preparation against possible enemy activity.

Particularly fine vintage chart of one of the most strategic waterways of the world. [MEAST4524]