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[ Locations | Map themes & related | Cartographers ]
[ 19th century regional maps of the U.S. ]
An attractive, large scale sea chart of the area around the Chesapeake Bay from Norfolk to New York. The son of French parents, Mortier was born in France but lived and worked in Amsterdam (1661-1722). A bookseller and publisher from about 1685, he entered into the map-trade in 1690 and soon became known as a publisher of some of the finest maps of the period. Though there is no definite attribution, this map was derived by Jaillot from the work of two Englishman, William Fisher and John Thornton. These two men published in 1689 what was to become for over one hundred years, a virtually unaltered sailing chart of the Chesapeake area. This map improved upon earlier maps showing greater detail of soundings, sand bars, and new place names, especially along the Virginia coast, that was not previously known. This map was, therefore, one of the most accurate of its time.
This map is a sea chart that was part of Mortier's Le Neptune Francois, and it has a western orientation, as this is the way one would see the land as one sailed towards it from Europe. The map shows the coastline from below Cape Henry to Staten Island, naming nearly every creek and inlet along these coasts. Interesting details of this map include the presence of sand bars and a "sunken marais [marsh]" off-shore of Staten Island (no Manhattan shown); the wealth of detail throughout the Chesapeake Bay; the amount of settlement along the James and York Rivers; and the recognition of Philadelphia as the only city of any substance. The rose compasses and rhumb lines along with the hand coloring, make the map very attractive. Unusually large for a sea chart, the map was obviously intended as something of a showpiece. Decoratively and historically a show-stopper. $8,500
Jacques N. Bellin. "Carte de la Virginie, de la Baye Chesapeak, et Pays Voisins." From Le Petit Atlas Maritime Paris: 1764. 7 1/2 x 11 3/4. Engraving. Original hand color. Very good condition.
A map of Virginia, Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay by Jacques Nicolas Bellin, the Hydrographer to the King of France. From about 1650 to 1750, the French dominated the cartographic world, with their fine, scientifically based maps, elegantly engraved and precisely detailed. Bellin (1703-72) was one of the best in the later period. This map is based upon information from the Fry & Jefferson map, showing most of the important information from that source. The map extends from Philadelphia to just south of Cape Henry, and inland as far as the headwaters of the Potomac River. Towns, plantations, rivers, roads and some orography are indicated with considerable detail. The precise engraving and elegant rendering makes this map easy to read, thus presenting an accessible version of the best mapping of the region on the eve of the American Revolution. $750
Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson. "A Map of the most Inhabited Part of Virginia containing the whole Province of Maryland...Drawn by Joshua Fry & Peter Jefferson in 1775." London: Sayer & Jefferys, 1775. Four sheets joined, 30 3/4 x 48 1/2. Engraving. Original hand color. Wall map that has been removed from mounting. Paper toned. Some old tears and punctures; all expertly conserved. Overall appearance is very good.
One of the most famous of American maps, and the finest eighteenth century map of Virginia and Maryland. The map was commissioned by the English Lords of Trade as part of the comprehensive mapping of the British colonies undertaken in the middle of the eighteenth century. The surveyors were Peter Jefferson, Thomas' father, and Joshua Fry, a mathematician at the College of William and Mary and Thomas Jefferson's tutor, who had already taken a number of important surveying commissions in Virginia. The map was based on their own surveys of the interior together with other first-hand information. Fry and Jefferson finished their map in 1751 and then revised it a few years later to incorporate information from John Dalrymple and others concerning the western part of the colony. The resulting map was by the far the best of Virginia to date and the first to accurately map beyond the Chesapeake Bay region and into the Appalachian mountains. This map was thus a watershed in the history of the mapping of Virginia and remained the prototype for the region for the second half of the century. Not only was it the first map to show the western parts of the colony, but it was the first to depict the road system in the colony. In the lower right is a lovely title cartouche showing a harbor scene on the Chesapeake and a tobacco warehouse, a vignette that has earned its own place in American iconography.
Though dated in the map 1751--the date the manuscript was finished--the first issue of the map was probably published about 1753 and was titled "A Map of the Inhabited part of Virginia…" It is exceedingly rare, with only a few complete copies known to exist. It was shortly after this issue that Fry and Jefferson updated the depiction of the western parts of the map, making a number of changes to produce what they called the "second edition" of 1755. This second edition was actually the fourth state, with two other intermediary states showing different stages in the modification of the geographic rendering on the map, as well as the change of the title to now read "A Map of the most Inhabited part of Virginia" (emphasis added). No more geographic changes were made, but the map went through four more editions with the date changed to 1768, 1775, 1782, and finally 1794. The issue of 1775, of which this is a good example, was published for Thomas Jefferys' important America Atlas, which contained examples of the many great maps of the American colonies that resulted from the mid-century mapping undertaken by the British. $35,000
After L'Enfant/Ellicott. "Plan of the City of Washington in the Territory of Columbia ceded by the States of Virginia and Maryland to the United States of America . . . established as the Seat of their Government after the Year 1800." From The American Atlas. New York: John Reid, 1796. Engraved by Rollinson. 15 3/4 x 20 3/4. Full margins except bottom right corner to accommodate former hinge. Wheat & Brun: 537.
Another map from the Reid atlas, this shows the City of Washington prior to the actual relocation of the capitol to that site. The map was taken from an official engraving done by Thackara and Vallance which was originally published in Philadelphia in 1792. It is an excellent depiction of the current knowledge of the area and shows the information that was requested by Jefferson such as plantings on the Mall and soundings in the rivers. Here is a lovely and fascinating plan of the new city based on the most recent surveys. $4,500
Mathew Carey. "Maryland." Philadelphia: M. Carey, 1814. 11 3/8 x 16 7/8. Engraving. Original outline color. Full margins. Very good condition.
An important and early map of Maryland by Mathew Carey, one of the seminal figures in early American cartography. Published just after the War of 1812, this map is from Carey's Atlas which represented the best American cartographic work of the period. Carey, an Irish immigrant, established the first American specialized cartographic publishing firm. He set up an elaborate cottage system of craftsmen for engraving, printing, and coloring his maps utilizing the best independent artists directed to a common end. Carey is important, then, not only for the excellent maps he produced, but for his setting the pattern for American map publishing, to be followed by the likes of John Melish and Henry S. Tanner. This precisely drawn map has much information and makes maximum use of space by providing information on western Maryland in an inset. The western boundary line is shown extending north from the source of the "Potowmac" which is indicated as "spring Head" on this inset. Detail in the state includes rivers, towns and roads. The "City of Washington" is also illustrated. $850
After John Melish. "Baltimore Annapolis and Adjacent Country." Philadelphia, [1822]. 5 1/2 x 3 1/8. Engraving. Very good condition.
One of a series of regional maps similar to those in A Geographical Description of the United States but slightly smaller. This was likely issued around 1822, perhaps shortly after Melish's death that year. $150
Jean Alexandre C. Buchon after Carey & Lea. "Maryland." Paris: J. Carez, 1825. 11 x 18 1/2 (map); 17 1/2 x 24 1/2 (full sheet). Engraved map with letterpress. Light original color. Full margins. Some soft creases. Very good condition.
Three years after Carey & Lea issued their important American Atlas (cf. above), Jean Buchon issued a revised, French edition of the atlas, Atlas Geographique des deux Ameriques. Following the earlier format with maps surrounded by the text, Buchon's maps are fascinating Franco-American documents, presenting a comprehensive statement of the French understanding of what was still considered the `New World.' The maps have excellent detail, and the text is filled with information on the climate, economy, topography, government, and so forth. This map of Maryland is a fine example from the atlas. $375
Fielding Lucas, Jr. "Geographical, Statistical, and Historical Map of Maryland." Philadelphia: H.C. Carey & I. Lea., 1827. Engraved by Boyd. Map 11 x 19 1/4; Full sheet 16 5/8 x 20 7/8. Engraving by Boyd. Original hand color. Very good condition.
In 1822, Henry Charles Carey and Isaac Lea published their A Complete Historical, Chronological, and Geographical American Atlas. This volume was based on Emmanuel Las Cases' Atlas Historique of 1803, with updated maps and text modified by Carey, a political economist. He considered himself an American foil to John Stuart Mill and the London economists who were proclaimers of "the gloomy science" influenced by Ricardo and Malthus. Instead of preaching overpopulation and degeneration of the human species, Carey illustrated the nations of the western hemisphere through maps that showed an expanding region with ample promise of developing into lands of great new opportunity and growth. The sheets from this atlas, which cover North America, Central America, South America and the West Indies, are comprised of an engraved map surrounded by text documenting the history, climate, population and so forth of the area depicted. The atlas is particularly known for its excellent early maps of the states and territories of the United States. This map of Maryland was designed by Fielding Lucas of Baltimore. He was one of the early leaders of the arts and sciences circles of that city. This map is based on Lucas' 1819 depiction of the state. Besides much detail about Maryland, the map shows all of Delaware and Washington when the District of Columbia comprised all of the ten mile square configuration. $625
"District of Columbia." Philadelphia: H.C. Carey & I. Lea, 1827. 10 3/4 x 10 1/2 (map); 16 1/2 x 20 1/2 (full sheet). Engraving by Young & Delleker. Full original hand color. Slight separation at bottom centerfold. Very good condition.
A handsome and fascinating map of the District from the Carey & Lea Complete Historical, Chronological, and Geographical American Atlas. The sheets from this atlas, which cover North America, Central America, South America and the West Indies, are comprised of an engraved map surrounded by text documenting the history, climate, population and so forth of the area depicted. The atlas is particularly known for its excellent early maps of the states and territories of the United States. This map of the District of Columbia is particularly interesting in being a picture of the nation's capital just 15 years after it was burnt by the British during the War of 1812. These were still very early days for Washington, and while the highlighted street grid looks regular and fairly extensive, Washington was still a raw urban center in many ways. The major government buildings are noted, and the canal along the mall and beyond is also shown. The roads into the district from the surrounding regions are indicated, and Alexandria is shown in the lower right corner of the map. The text on this district is copious and most interesting. Overall, a fine verbal and graphic picture of Washington, D.C. $650
Thomas G. Bradford. "Maryland." From Samuel G. Goodrich's A General Atlas of the World. Boston: C.D. Strong, 1841. 11 1/2 x 14 1/4. Engraving by G.W. Boynton. Original hand color. Very good condition.
A precisely engraved map by Thomas G. Bradford, a Boston map publisher. This map was first issued in the 1838 edition of Bradford's atlas, but this example appeared in Samuel Goodrich's atlas from 1841. This map is up-to-date in showing the political and topographical situation with very good accuracy. Detail includes rivers, lakes, towns, and counties. Also shown are early canals and railroads. The whole is attractively presented with original hand coloring. A rare and early map of Maryland. $350
An excellent map of Maryland and Delaware by the great American cartographer, Henry Schenck Tanner. In 1816, Henry, his brother Benjamin, John Vallance and Francis Kearny formed an engraving firm in Philadelphia. Having had experience at map engraving through his work with John Melish, Tanner conceived of the idea of compiling and publishing an American Atlas, which was begun in 1819 by Tanner, Vallance, Kearny & Co.. Soon Tanner took over the project on his own, and thus began his career as cartographic publisher. The American Atlas was a huge success, and this inspired Tanner to produce his Universal Atlas, of more manageable size. This atlas contained excellent maps of each state, focusing on the transportation network, including roads, railroads and canals. All details are clearly presented, and these include towns, rivers, mountains, political boundaries and the transportation information. In 1841, Carey & Hart issued an edition of the atlas, and the maps were later purchased by S. Augustus Mitchell, and then Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co.. Maps from the early Tanner/Carey & Hart edition are very rare. This map of the two states is typical of the Tanner maps, and it shows the states at an interesting stage of their history. Included is a regional inset Baltimore. This is an fine map of Maryland and Delaware. $350
After Henry S. Tanner. "City of Washington." Philadelphia: S. Augustus Mitchell, 1849. With an inset plan of the Capitol. 12 1/2 x 15 1/2. Lithographic transfer from engraved plate. Original hand-coloring. Some typical paper toning. Very good condition.
For much of the middle part of the nineteenth century, the Mitchell firm dominated American cartography in output and influence. S. Augustus Mitchell Jr.'s maps of the 1860s are probably the best known issues of this firm, but his father's earlier efforts are excellent maps derived from H.S. Tanner's atlas of the 1830s. This map of Washington D.C. is a good example of this work. It shows the nation's capital at the middle of the century, documenting the roads and major buildings. An inset of the plan of the Capitol is included, as is a table of references in the bottom left corner. This is an excellent picture of Washington at this period of political turmoil, when the capital was becoming more and more important in national politics. $450
"A New Map of Maryland and Delaware." Philadelphia: S. Augustus Mitchell, 1848. 11 1/4 x 14 1/2. Lithographic transfer from engraved plate. Original hand-coloring. Typical overall time-toning to paper. Very good condition. With inset of Baltimore.
The Mitchell map of Maryland and Delaware is typical of his excellent output. Topographical information, including towns, rivers, roads canals and so on, is profuse and clearly shown, and the counties are shaded with contrasting pastel colors. Since steamboats were the most glamorous and comfortable way to travel, the map includes the distances from Baltimore to points between that major city and Norfolk, Philadelphia, and Washington. $325
"A New Map of Maryland and Delaware with their Canals, Roads & Distances." Philadelphia: Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co., 1851. 11 1/2 x 14 5/8. Lithographic transfer from engraved plate. Original hand color. Paper toned and some spots, including one in population table. Otherwise, very good condition.
A strong, beautifully crafted map of Maryland and Delaware from the mid-nineteenth century, published by Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co.. This firm took over the publication of S. Augustus Mitchell's important Universal Atlas in 1850, and they continued to produce up-dated maps that were amongst the best issued in the period. This map shows Maryland and Delaware at an interesting period in its history. The map is filled with myriad topographical details, including rivers, towns, mountains, and political borders. The Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co. maps are especially known for their depiction of the transportation routes of the states, and this map is no exception. The transportation infrastructure was extremely important at this period of increased travel and goods shipping in the mid-Atlantic region. This information is clearly depicted, including rail lines, canals, and roads. A table at the top lists the steamboat routes from Baltimore to Norfolk, Philadelphia and Washington. $200
Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co. "City of Washington." With an inset of the Capitol. Philadelphia: Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co., 1853. 12 1/2 x 15 5/8. Lithographic transfer from engraved plate. Full original hand color. Very good condition.
A crisp, detailed map of the city of Washington by Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co. the successors to S.A. Mitchell and his Universal Atlas. The map illustrates and gives an index of the more important buildings in the city. Another interesting aspect of this map is that the developed portions of the city have been shaded, allowing one to see the extent of the inhabited areas. In the top right corner is a plan of the U.S. Capitol. A most desirable map of the city. $325
City maps by J.H. Colton & Co.
New York: J.H. Colton & Co., 1856. Lithograph. Full original hand-coloring. Very good condition.
In the mid-nineteenth century, the center of map publishing in America moved from Philadelphia to New York. The Colton publishing firm played a large role in this shift. These city maps, with their fine detail, are strong examples of their successful work. Attractive maps as well as worthwhile historical documents.
City maps by S. Augustus Mitchell, Jr.
Philadelphia: S.A. Mitchell, Jr. Lithographs. Full original hand coloring. Full margins. Very good to excellent condition.
Though sharing the position with New York, Philadelphia was still one of the leading American cartographic publishing centers of the latter part of the nineteenth century. The dominant Philadelphia firm during this period was that founded by Samuel Augustus Mitchell, and continued by his son. Their atlases are known for detailed maps and attractive decorative borders. These maps show the central parts of Baltimore and the City of Washington, as opposed to the ten miles square District of Columbia. The maps provide an excellent, detailed view of each city at this time. Fascinating and decorative maps from the time of the Civil War and just after.
A.J. Johnson. "Johnson's Georgetown and the City of Washington the Capital of the United States of America." New York: Johnson & Browning, 1860. 12 3/8 x 15 1/4. Lithograph. Full original hand color. Very good condition.
A detailed map of Georgetown and the City of Washington. A.J. Johnson, who published out of New York City, was one of the leading cartographic publishers in the latter half of the century, producing popular atlases, geographies and separate maps. This map is an nice example of Johnson's, and thus early American, cartography. It shows L'Enfant's grid plan for the city, transected diagonally by the avenues names for the states. Additional interesting features are the insets in three corners of elevations of three landmarks: The Capitol, The Smithsonian Institution and the Washington Monument (as proposed). $250
John Bachmann. "Bird's Eye View of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia." From a series entitled "Panorama of the Seat of War." New York: Charles Magnus, 1864. 24 1/4 x 36. Tinted lithograph. Some small, expertly repaired short tears. Otherwise, very good condition.
This fascinating print is half view, half map. The scene looks down upon the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries from a 'bird's eye view.' It shows the progress of the Union blockade against the Confederates, and it was designed for a Northern audience. Along the right side one can see Wilmington, Baltimore, and Harper's Ferry, including the water and road network that connected these points to the south. Norfolk, Petersburg, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Washington are seen in the center of the image, with fine detail. Also shown are the forts and ships along and in the Chesapeake and to the north. A dramatic and informative image of the center of action during the Civil War. $2,700
A. J. Johnson. "Johnson's Delaware and Maryland." Inset: "District of Columbia." New York: Johnson & Ward, ca. 1865. 12 3/4 x 16 1/2. Lithograph. Full original hand-color. A few light spots and two small holes near upper right. Good condition.
A detailed map of the states of Delaware and Maryland and with an inset of the District of Columbia as they appeared near the end of the Civil War, issued in Alvin Jewitt Johnson's mid-nineteenth century atlas of the world. Johnson, who published out of New York City, was one of the leading cartographic publishers in the latter half of the century, producing popular atlases and geographies having indirectly succeeded the J.H. Colton Co. This finely-detailed map, struck from a lithographic stone, includes three vignette views of famous buildings in the city of Washington. The counties are hand colored in contrasting pastel shades, lending the map an attractive appearance. It is an excellent example of Johnson's, and thus American cartography. $150
G.W. and C.B. Colton. “Colton's Delaware and Maryland.” New York: J.H. Colton, 1866. 11 1/4 x 14 (neatlines) plus full margins and borders. Lithograph. Full original hand color. Good condition. With inset of “District of Columbia.”
In the mid-nineteenth century, the center of map publishing in America moved from Philadelphia to New York. The Colton publishing firm played a large role in this shift. This map of Maryland and Delaware, with its fine detail, is a strong example of their successful work. The map presents the counties with contrasting pastel shades, and includes depictions of towns, roads, railroads, rivers, and some other topography. Each feature is labeled neatly, and the information given extends to just beyond the borders of the state. A inset plan of the District of Columbia in the lower left gives much information on the ten mile square area that includes Alexandria, planned railroads, and the C&O Canal. This is an attractive map as well as an interesting historical document. $165
S. Augustus Mitchell, Jr. "County Map of Maryland and Delaware." [and] "County Map of New Jersey." Philadelphia: S.A. Mitchell, Jr., 1867. Lithograph. Full original hand coloring. Full margins. Spots in decorative border near the mouth of Delaware Bay, Delaware. Else, very good condition.
A fine map by S.A. Mitchell Jr. of these three eastern states, from the period just after the Civil War. $50
Simon J. Martenet. "Martenet's Map of Maryland and District of Columbia, . . .." Click underlined term to see Western portion Eastern portion. Philadelphia: J.L. Smith, 1885. Copyright 1884 by S.J. Martenet. Lithograph (hand colored). 32 sections backed on linen; one original cloth cover remains. Overall dimensions 43 1/2 x 71 (neatlines) plus full margins. Reference: Phillips, Maps, p. 398. Linen backing is fragile, so there are some splits at folds. Slight staining through the back, especially in lower left quadrant. Normal age browning. Fine reading.
This huge, decorative, and detailed map shows great detail with 59 "signs and abbreviations" for roads, business complexes such as mills, factories, and shops, and organizations such as churches and schools. The map also features very detailed and fascinating insets of: Baltimore, Annapolis, Hagerstown, Cambridge, Cumberland, Easton, "Frederick City," Chestertown, "Washington and Georgetown," and Salisbury.
Simon Martenet (b. 1832) was apprenticed at age 13 to Thomas P. Chiffelle, city surveyor of Baltimore. He took over the latter's business in 1855 and soon began executing maps of various Maryland counties. This work was interrupted by the Civil War, but by 1865 he completed and published his large map as an atlas and as a wall map. The Maryland legislature required that it be used in all public schools. The map was updated, slightly according to Papenfuse and Coale, in 1885 and issued in this segmented form in 1886. Ref.: The Hammond-Harwood House Atlas of Historical Maps of Maryland, 1608-1908: 81. The size and detail are stunning. Case and map are as found. $800
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!["Plan of the City of Washington. The Capitol [sic] of the United States of America."](images/mitchwash67.jpg){kind=link}
