1778 Zatta Map of New York, Pennsylvania, and the Eastern Great Lakes

Border Disputes in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.

This is Antonio Zatta's striking 1778 map of New York, Pennsylvania, and the eastern Great Lakes. While a separate issue, the map comprises sheet V of Zatta's 12-sheet Italian edition of John Mitchell's important c. 1775 map of eastern North America. Among other points of interest, the richly annotated map illustrates Pennsylvania's pre-1774 claims to what is today western New York as well as land disputes between New York and New Jersey.

A Closer Look

Coverage embraces from Lake Huron to Long Island and from Montreal (not named on map) to, roughly, modern-day Coshocton, Ohio, in the vicinity of the Hocking (Hockhocken; not named on map) River, thus includes all of modern-day New York, the northern 2/3 of Pennsylvania, northeastern Ohio, northern New Jersey, western Massachusetts and Connecticut, southern Ontario, and the southern limits of Lake Champlain. Most of Lake Huron and all of Lakes Erie and Ontario are included.

Northern Claims of Pennsylvania

Most of the cartography is derived from later editions (c. 1775) of John Mitchell's Colonial Era map of eastern North America, the most influential large-format map of this region of its generation. Among the most striking elements are the extensive claims of Pennsylvania extending north roughly to the Niagara River. These claims ran contrary to the claims of both New York and Connecticut, which ultimately led to the First (1769 - 1770), Second (1774), and Third Pennamite Wars (1784). The northernmost tier was primarily dominated by the Iroquois Six Nations and of little interest to the Pennsylvanians, who ceded to New York in the 1768 Treaty of Fort Stanwix (ratified in 1774). The middle tier, consisting of the valuable Wyoming Valley, catalyzed the three Yankee-Pennamite Wars, but was ultimately awarded to Pennsylvania.

Publication History and Census

This map was published separately in Zatta's 1779-84 Atlante Novissimo, but can also be considered component to the 12-map Zatta Italian edition of John Mitchell's map of North America, considered the most comprehensive Colonial Era map of eastern North America. Both the Zatta and the Mitchell are roughly on the same scale, though the Zatta has considerably more annotations and additional insets (Bermuda, Jamaica). Well represented institutionally, but scarce to the market as a separate map.

Cartographers

Antonio Zatta (1722 - February 16, 1804) was a Venetian printer and publisher whose illustrated books and atlases made him a leading figure in late 18th-century Italian publishing. Born in Venice into a printing family active since 1656, he attempted to relocate to Rovereto in 1752, but Venetian authorities blocked the move. The merchant Amedeo Svajer financed his early ventures. His connections with the Jesuits, including publications defending the order under false imprints (1760 - 1761), attracted controversy, although these ties weakened during the 1760s. Geography became a major undertaking: he published Anton Friedrich Büsching's Nuova geografia in 34 volumes (1773 - 1782), followed by the four-volume Atlante novissimo, illustrato ed accresciuto (1779 - 1785), comprising approximately 240 maps. Portions appeared separately, notably Le colonie unite dell'America settentr.le, an Italian adaptation of John Mitchell's 1755 map. His geographical publications also included Cook's voyages (1794 - 1795) and the map-illustrated political periodical Prospetto degli affari attuali dell'Europa (1788 - 1801). Beyond cartography, he published literature, medicine, and Buffon's natural history (1782 - 1791), cultivating collaborations with leading Venetian illustrators and engravers. His sons Giacomo and Giovanni joined the business in 1783; the printing house closed shortly after his death.   Further Details...

John Mitchell (April 13, 1711 – February 29, 1768) was and British-American mapmaker of great significance. He is known for one and only one map, the 'Mitchell Map', considered the most important map in 18th century American history. Mitchell was born in Lancaster County, Virginia, the son of a prosperous planter and merchant. Like many of his social peers, he was educated in Europe, at Scotland at Edinburgh University, where he studied medicine. Mitchell practiced medicine in Virginia for a short time prior to the French and Indian War. He was elected to the original American Philosophical Society in 1744. In 1745 Mitchell argued that a series of epidemics occurring in Virginia were due to unsanitary troop ships from Britain - at the time a revolutionary idea. He relocated to London in 1746 - presumably for the agreeable climate. Mitchell never practiced medicine in London, but was known to be an avid botanist, and was considered an exotic plant expert in London society circles. He was elected as a fellow of the Royal Society in November 1748, his candidature citation describing him as

A Gentleman of great merit and Learning, who Some time Since communicated to the Royal Society a very curious dissertation concerning the Colour of the skin in Negroes, and who from his long residence in Virginea, and from his great application to the Study of Natural history, especially Botany, is very well acquainted with the vegetable productions of North America, being desirous of being admitted a fellow of the Royal Society, is recommended by us from our personal knowledge of him as highly deserving the Honour he desires, as we believe he will be (if chosen) a usefull and valuable member of our Body.

As an educated American adopted into British high society, Mitchell became the de facto expert on all matters North American. In 1749, during a time of ever-increasing political tensions between British and French interests in America, Lord Halifax contracted Mitchell to produce a large and detailed map of British and French dominions in America. While embracing the most advanced geographical data, Mitchell also advocated pro-British interpretation of political boundaries. The resulting map was thus geographically unimpeachable and reframed the cartographic perspective from French to British terms. The map proved significant and was used in most subsequent treaties. Michell issued 3 editions in his lifetime. He died in London in 1768.   Further Details...

Source

Zatta, A., Atlante novissimo, illustrato ed accresciuto sulle osservazioni, e scoperte fatte dai piu celebri e piu recenti geografi, (Venice: Presso Antonio Zatta) 1779 - 1784.    

Condition

Very good. From sidebound atlas, no centerfold. Slight discoloration in northern central Pennsylvania.

References

Rumsey 5007.007.