DEPOT GENERAL DE LA MARINE. Collection of 243 hydrographic charts. Paris, ca. 1837-1880. - Very good overall condition. All charts, uncolored, are on strong paper, sometimes slightly yellowed, with minimal foxing. Most of the charts are in broadsheet format. Double maps (with margins) average 69 x 102 cm, single maps 51 x 70 cm. Some maps are in folio format. Important collection of hydrographic charts published by the Dépôt général de la Marine in the 19th century. The Dépôt général de la Marine or Dépôt des cartes et plans de la marine was created on November 19, 1720, and is the oldest official hydrographic service in the world. This important collection of 243 hydrographic charts retraces 50 years of French exploration in all parts of the world, in Africa: Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt - in Asia: India, China, Malaysia (Malacca, Singapore...), Philippines, Indonesia - in Asia Minor and the Mediterranean (Turkey, Cyprus, Rhodes, Syria...) - in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov: Crimea, Odessa - in Scandinavia: Iceland, Sweden and Norway. The maps are dated between 1837 and 1880 and, despite their large format, are in very good condition. List of maps on request.