BACKGROUND: As with other armed forces the Germans had a KuVA, Kriegskarten-und Vermessungswesen Abteilung, (War Maps and Surveying Department), under command of the OKH, Oberkommando des Heeres, (High Command of the Army), and the OKW Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, (High Command of the Armed Forces). The Kriegsmarine had a corresponding department for land maps under control of the OKM, Oberkommando der Marine, (High Command of the Navy), while nautical charts were prepared by the Marineobservatorium, (Navy Observatory). The Germans utilized a Gradnetzmeldeverfahren, ({Map}, Degree Network Reference System), based on the Greenwich longitude/latitude degree system to pinpoint a precise location on any map or chart. Although basically identical to land maps, nautical charts surveyed areas covered by water with only basic topographical coastal land features such as ports and harbors that would be of value to mariners. The nautical charts had varied information that may include Harmonica Tides and the sea bed depths. The depths charts were of the utmost importance and enabled the sailors to visualize hazards to avoid such as reefs, rock outcrops, ship wrecks etc.. The nautical depth charts would have numerical markings to donate the sea beds depth and contours.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 15 1/4" x 21 1/2", nautical chart portfolio with a heavy weight, pale green cardstock cover and twenty-nine, internal, single sided pages. The front cover has black printed script that includes, "Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine", (High Command of the Navy), "Nur für den Dienstgebrauch!" (For service use only!), "Atlas der Bodenbeschaffenheit des Meeres 9. Lieferung Westküste Afrikas", (Atlas of the condition of the bottom of the sea. 9th Issue West coast of Africa), and "Bearbeitet von der Deutschen Seewarte", (Compiled by the German Marine Observatory). The front cover also has a black printed national eagle and an illegible scripted, national eagle inkstamp. The portfolio begins with a couple of pages of explanatory text, a list of the contained charts, a color coded legend and twenty-six nautical depth charts. The depth charts all feature numerical depth markings and color coded sea bed features such as different grades of sand and rock. The charts cover the north west coast of Africa from roughly Rabat in Morocco, to the Sherbro Island off the coast of Sierra Leone. The charts range in scale from, "1:50,000", to "1:750,000". The cover shows some minor color fading but the interior charts are all in very good condition with minimal age yellowing. Interesting nautical chart portfolio.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $469.00