Massachusetts - Connecticut - Rhode Island (sold)

A superb example, entirely complete, of Christopher Colles' 1789 - 1790 A Survey of the Roads of the United States of America. This is the First American Road atlas, wherein at least some of the plates represent the first American maps engraved by a female - Colles' 13-year-old daughter Eliza. Covering depictions from Albany, New York to Williamsburg, Virginia, Colles' atlas consists of a prospectus, a title page, and 83 separate strip maps, each covering some 12 miles of roads and offering invaluable detail about the natural and human landscape of late 18th-century America, and was published in commemoration of the founding of the new republic in 1789. (more details)

This is a rare and extraordinary powder horn dating to 1775, just prior to the Revolutionary War. Features a stunning scrimshaw map of Boston, Massachusetts, noting Bunker's Hill (Bunker Hill), Breeds Hill, Morton's Point, Charlestown, Mill Pond, Hancock's Warf, ... (more details)

A 1778 first edition American Revolutionary War era map of the northeastern United States by J. B. Elliot, considered to be of extreme significance. This is generally regarded as the earliest map to use the name 'United States', or in this case, 'Etats Unis'. Drawing on previously unused sources, Eliot's map illustrates the events of the Revolutionary War contemporaneously with the action, making it, essentially a living account of the War of Independence. Margaret Pritchard and Henry Taliaferro, published an essay on this map in Degrees of Latitude, Map 58, describing its significance in great detail, of which this is a short excerpt,

The map of the theater of war between Great Britain and America by J.B. Eliot is important because of its title, Les Treize Colonies Unies de l'Amerique Septentrionale, may include the first reference on a map to the United States. The cartographer was identified as Ingenieurs des Etats Unis. On November 15, 1777, the Continental Congress selected 'The United States of America,' as the name of the thirteen colonies that formed a government under the Articles of Confederation. One month later, French authorities learned of the victory at Saratoga and decided to recognize American independence. By January 8, French foreign minister, Charles Gravier, Comte de Vergennes, informed American envoys that France was ready to engage in an alliance. It is not surprising that the name United States was first mentioned on a map published in Paris in 1778.

… It is also curious that he did not indicate on the map the general's 1777 winter headquarters at Valley Forge, misspelled Walay Forge. What Eliot did illustrate were the lines' march taken by the British and American forces during the campaign in 1777, including Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Ledger's unsuccessful diversionary expedition down the Mohawk Valley, Burgoyne's march from Crown Point to Albany, and Howe's campaign to take Philadelphia.

… As was usually the case, Eliot appears to have borrowed from several sources in compiling the geography. Some areas were designated by French place-names while others are predominantly English, specifically in the northwestern territories that the French knew best. It is clear they were aware of the latest intelligence relating to the Revolutionary War.

A decorative cartouche in the lower right incorporates a battle scene wherein British soldiers bombard a small town - possibly Valley Forge? (more details)

This is the 1661 edition of Robert Dudley's general map of the east coast of North America. According to Burden, this is the 'first printed sea chart of North America by an Englishman and the first to record soundings.' It is a great rarity on the market and a keystone map for any collection of early American cartography. (more details)

This is J. F. W. Des Barres' 1776 nautical map of New England. This was the best and most accurate general chart of New England issued at the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War (1775 - 1783). (more details)

This is the rare, c. 1656 second state of the Jansson/ Visscher map of the New Netherlands and New England. It is the earliest acquirable state of this work: the first, 'proof state', of this masterwork is an unobtainable rarity, known in only four examples in institutional and private collections. (more details)

A magnificent 1879 bird's-eye view and map of Boston by James Compton Hazen and Oakley Hoopes Bailey, it is considered the largest and most detailed view of Boston Proper. The view presents Boston from an imaginary elevated position to the southeast of the city, looking northwest towards the Charles River with Cambridge appearing in the upper left and East Boston in the upper right. Hazen's slight and novel exaggeration of the vertical axis enhances the view with an intense three-dimensionality. This effect further highlighted by Hazen's use of a modified axonometric perspective - a technique that assumes a uniform fixed height and angle relative to all buildings, here modified only slightly to create a subtle perspective within the main Boston peninsula. The traditional view modality reasserts itself beyond the city proper where the background and outlying areas recede into the horizon. (more details)

This is the rare, c. 1656 second state of the Jansson/ Visscher map of the New Netherlands and New England. It is the earliest acquirable state of this work: the first, 'proof state', of this masterwork is an unobtainable rarity, known in only four examples in institutional and private collections. (more details)

This is a rare 1777 Jean-Baptiste Jacques de Beaurain map of the United States during the American Revolutionary War, issued in anticipation of French entry into the war on the side of the revolutionaries. The map includes a bold illustration of the goddess Ossa (fame) unrolling an expansive map of the Theater of War in the Hudson corridor, proclaiming the newly formed United States. Mars, the god of War, looks on, shield and torch in hand, his arsenal ready - much like France itself. This map is thus an instrument of propaganda intended to prepare the public for French participation in the American Revolution - an event which followed in early 1778. (more details)

A highly significant map, this is the 1774 'Jefferys' Map' of the Most Inhabited Part of New england . Centered on the Massachusetts Bay Colony, this map covers from Long Island to Lake Champlain and from the Hudson River to Cape Cod and Kennebec Bay, Maine. ... (more details)

A highly significant map, this is the 1774 'Jefferys' Map' of the Most Inhabited Part of New england . Centered on the Massachusetts Bay Colony, this map covers from Long Island to Lake Champlain and from the Hudson River to Cape Cod and Kennebec Bay, Maine. ... (more details)

A fine example of Purdy's important 1821 map of Cabotia or Canada and New England – at the time the largest and finest map of that region. Cabotia is Purdy's manufactured term for eastern Canada or those lands discovered by John Cabot in 1497. The map covers from Lake Michigan to Newfoundland and from Labrador to New York City. Within Canada, it includes all of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. In the United States, it includes all of New England, Michigan, and New York, as well as parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania. There are no fewer than 10 inset detail maps including a map of the Great lakes, the environs of Quebec, the St. Lawrence River, Niagara and vicinity, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Halifax, St. John, and New York Harbor. (more details)

A map of extreme importance, this is a fine example of Nicholaas Visscher's 1684 Novi Belgii or map of New York, New England, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. This is the first map in the Jansson-Visscher Series here presented in its 4th state (Burden, 315). Like ... (more details)

A map of extreme importance, this is a fine example of Nicholaas Visscher's 1684 Novi Belgii or map of New York, New England, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. This is the first map in the Jansson-Visscher Series here presented in its 4th state (Burden, 315). Like ... (more details)

Known as 'The Agent's Map', this is a fine example of the first official map of Massachusetts, published in 1801 by Osgood Carleton. The map emerged out of a long and complex struggle to produce a large-scale, accurate, and comprehensive state map - something increasingly important in the heady early days of independence following the American Revolutionary War (1775 - 1783). This expansive map covers all of Massachusetts in considerable detail, giving no attention whatsoever to the neighboring states. While generally ignoring topography, the map offers superb practical detail throughout, noting roads, county borders, schools, meeting houses, courts, milage from Boston, and more. The sole mountain illustrated is the Hoosack Range, near modern-day North Adams. (more details)

Known as 'The Agent's Map', this is a fine example of the first official map of Massachusetts, published in 1801 by Osgood Carleton. The map emerged out of a long and complex struggle to produce a large-scale, accurate, and comprehensive state map - something increasingly important in the heady early days of independence following the American Revolutionary War (1775 - 1783). This expansive map covers all of Massachusetts in considerable detail, giving no attention whatsoever to the neighboring states. While generally ignoring topography, the map offers superb practical detail throughout, noting roads, county borders, schools, meeting houses, courts, milage from Boston, and more. The sole mountain illustrated is the Hoosack Range, near modern-day North Adams. (more details)

This is H. F. Walling's 1858 map of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, one of the largest and most decorative maps of this region to appear in the 19th century. The map encompasses from Buzzard Bay to Provincetown, embracing Barnstable, Dukes (Martha's Vineyard), and Nantucket counties. This was a map of exceptional significance to Walling since he was a Cape Codder himself, born and raised in Provincetown. The map thus is lavished with local detail at a density not present in most of his other work. (more details)

This is the seminal 1565 Giovanni Battista Ramusio map of the Northeast and Canada, 'The first printed map devoted to the New England region'(Osher) and the first map to apply a specific name to Canada. The map depicts the northeastern coast of North America from New York to the coast of Labrador, inclusive of New England and maritime Canada. In particular, it is the first map to reveal Giovanni da Verrazano's 1524 voyage to America and to depict his discoveries in what would become New York and New England. It is also among the most visually engaging early maps, being richly decorated with depictions of indigenous peoples, Europeans, flora and fauna, sailing ships, sea monsters, and demons. (more details)

This is the seminal 1556 Giovanni Battista Ramusio map of the Northeast and Canada, 'the first printed map devoted to the New England region' (Osher), and the first map to apply a specific name to Canada. The map depicts the northeastern coast of North America from New York to the coast of Labrador, inclusive of New England and maritime Canada. It is the first map to reveal Giovanni da Verrazano's 1524 voyage to America and to depict his discoveries in what would become New York and New England. It is also among the most visually engaging early maps, being richly decorated with depictions of indigenous peoples, Europeans, flora and fauna, sailing ships, sea monsters, and demons. (more details)

This is a superb example of the seminal 1565 Giovanni Battista Ramusio map of the Northeast and Canada, The first printed map devoted to the New England region (Osher) and the first map to apply a specific name to Canada. Significantly, it is the first map to focus specifically on Giovanni da Verrazzano's 1524 discoveries in what would become New York and New England - making it the first map to depict New York Bay and Harbor. (more details)

Known as 'The Agent's Map', this is a fine example of the first official map of Massachusetts, published in 1801 by Osgood Carleton. The map emerged out of a long and complex struggle to produce a large-scale, accurate, and comprehensive state map - something increasingly important in the heady early days of independence following the American Revolutionary War (1775 - 1783). This expansive map covers all of Massachusetts in considerable detail, giving no attention whatsoever to the neighboring states. While generally ignoring topography, the map offers superb practical detail throughout, noting roads, county borders, schools, meeting houses, courts, milage from Boston, and more. The sole mountain illustrated is the Hoosack Range, near modern-day North Adams. (more details)

This is Giacomo Gastaldi's 1548 map of the eastern coast of North America. It is considered the first printed map specifically of the American eastern coastline and the first obtainable map to illustrate Narragansett Bay, Block Island, New York Harbor, Long Island, the Outer Banks, and Bermuda. (more details)

A striking original color 1666 Pieter Goos nautical chart or maritime map of New England, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia. Coverage follows the coast of North America from Boston Harbor to Cape Hatteras, thus embracing one of the more active mid-17th century maritime corridors in North America. At the center of the map, two Dutch ships ply the seas. Finely engraved decorative cartouche work in the upper left and lower right emphasizes the region's rich fur trade and abundant fisheries. (more details)

A rare separately published c. 1796 map of New England by Bowles and Carver. Centered on Massachusetts, this map covers the New England coastline from Long Island, New York, to Little Kennebec Bay, Maine, and from Cape Cod and Nantucket westward to just ... (more details)

An attractive old color example of Justus Danckerts' 1684 Novi Belgii or map of New York, New England, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Some call this the 'farm animal map' for its novel incorporation of farm animals, ranging from horses and cows to chicken ... (more details)

A rare separately published 1776 American Revolutionary War map of New England by Carington Bowles - here in the scarce 4th edition that immediately followed the action at Bunker Hill. It represents one of the best and most up-to-date Revolutionary Era maps of New England. This map was initially issued by Carington Bowles in 1765 as a reduced and updated improvement upon the 1755 John Green / Braddock Mead map. The map transitioned through six known states, the present example representing the fourth state, updated with relevant content at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War (1775 - 1783). (more details)

An impressive c. 1886 large scale wall map of Nantucket, Massachusetts. This map is a later, much-enlarged Joseph B. Swain issue of Reverend Ferdinand Cartwright Ewer's (1826 - 1883), seminal 1869 map of Nantucket. It was likely made to promote the Nantucket Hotel, which opened 2 years earlier. According to Nantucket historian, Everett U. Crosby, this is 'The largest, best-known and most useful Nantucket map.' The map is richly detailed and expressive of Nantucket's topography, road system, railroad lines, and even political breakdown. It shows swamps, ponds, important hotels and lighthouses, hills, and more. Some references are dated and correspond to a table located at center. (more details)

A highly significant map, this is the 1774 'Jefferys' Map' of the Most Inhabited Part of New england . Centered on the Massachusetts Bay Colony, this map covers from Long Island to Lake Champlain and from the Hudson River to Cape Cod and Kennebec Bay, ... (more details)

This is a gorgeous 1643 edition of Willem Blaeu's foundational 1634 map of the American Northeast, presenting the regions settled by the Dutch (New Netherlands) and the English (New England). Uniquely oriented to the west, Blaeu's map covers the American coast from Virginia, past New York and Long Island to Cape Cod, New England, and Quebec. The map is the first of the region to depict the fur-bearing and food animals of the region accurately, and it does so in profusion. Between this imagery and the fleet of trade ships heading towards the coast, the decorative elements vividly emphasize the region's resource wealth. (more details)

This is Nicolas Visscher II's 1696 two-sheet map of the North American eastern seaboard and the Canadian Maritimes, in a beautiful example of its earliest acquirable state with rich original color. It represents the 17th century's most finely-detailed mapping of the coast from the Carolinas to Labrador. Also, it is the first Dutch map of the region to diverge from the 'Jansson-Visscher' precursor maps. (more details)

One of the most important, influential, and comprehensive American Revolutionary War Era map of New York, New Jersey, Vermont, and the Hudson Valley corridor, this is an final 1776 state of Major Samuel Holland and Thomas Jeffrey's Provinces of New ... (more details)

An exceptional map of significant yet often underappreciated importance, this is Sir William Alexander's 1624 / 1625 map of New England, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. The map is notable for a number of first's including the first appearance of ... (more details)