New Jersey (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.

Bringing European Cartographic Ideas to America

The maps appear in a strip-map style previously unknown in North America, but common in European road maps, such as the 1720 Britannia Depicta, or Ogilby Improv'd. Colles' issued the work in separate sheets that could be mixed and matched in a modular format, as needed. This modular format was his own innovation and challenged the user to interpret American roads linearly, as only a traveler can (and must).

The atlas includes 83 separate sheet maps, numbered 1-33, 40-86, and 45*, 46* and 47*. The sheets are laid loose in their original portfolio, with Colles' pastedown title, the original ties and the prospectus pasted to the inside of the front board, as found in most examples. The title page bears the date 1789. It is important to note that it was believed, until recently, that the maps were issued in parts through 1792. However, a hand-written note, laid in by an early-though sadly unnamed-owner, demonstrates that the maps were in fact complete and delivered to subscribers by 1790.

A Federalist Document

In the words of historian Trish Loughran, writing in the The Republic in Print (page 236),

Colles placed the year 1789 on the title page in order to make the book's publication coincide with the ratification of the Constitution and the formation of the new government. Indeed, Colles even goes so far as to begin the book's fictional journey on Plate 1 at New York's Federal Hall, which was in 1789, the new national capitol and the recent site of Washington's inauguration. In this way, the book makes the continual literal and symbolic reference to the newly invented nation-state even as it attempts to collect and contain a map to every known space within it in the highly singular space of a book. That it does so in such a way that each represented space can also be experienced locally, by the body hold up any given map on any given road, makes this an exceptional artifact in the production of federalist space.

The Work of a Mad Tinkerer

Colles originally intended to survey and map each and every road personally, and many of the maps are indeed based upon his own work. To accomplish this task Colles invented a new kind of perambulator - essentially a modified wagon wheel of a fixed circumference attached to counting cogs that could be used to record distances, a great improvement over the more traditional surveyor's chain. Colles found, however, that completion of the surveys was beyond his limited means, and so, relied upon existing work by military surveyors Simeon DeWitt and Robert Erskine for the maps of Maryland and Virginia. Ultimately, Colles never fully completed his atlas, with only 83 of the originally intended 100 maps published.

Engraved by Americas First Female Map Engraver - Eliza Colles

The maps were drafted by Colles, then engraved by Cornelius Tiebout, and later by his daughter Eliza Colles. It would seem that sometime in the middle of the engraving process, Colles had a falling out with Tiebout and recruited his 13-year-old daughter, Eliza, who may have been Tiebout's apprentice, to complete the engravings. Eliza thus became the first American female engraver. While there is no definitive proof that Eliza engraved for the Survey of Roads, many scholars note that the engraving style of the individual sheets does change, suggesting at least two different engravers were active. In particular the notion is supported by Walter Ristow (page 164) and Benson Lossing, who wrote in his History of New York,

Colles constructed and published a series of sectional road maps which were engraved by his daughter.

It should be underlined that Eliza also engraved another of Colles' extremely rare but monumental Geographical Ledger, which appeared in 1794 shortly after the Survey of Roads and bears Eliza's imprint.

A Financial Failure

Colles sold the maps found in his Survey of Roads by subscription, charging a quarter dollar up front, plus an eighth of a dollar for each delivered section of six sheets. (Nonsubscribers were charged 3 cents per sheet.) Despite a fair price (compare to Abraham Bradley's 1796 map of the United States at 3 1/2 - 5 dollars), accuracy, and fine workmanship, indeed ahead of its time, A Survey of the Roads of the United States of America floundered financially. The intended impact of the work; to promote travel, trade and real-estate transactions, failed to attract sufficient subscribers. As a result, the completed work was offered only in New York and Philadelphia. Deep in debt, Colles began to sell the completed sections of the work separately, with most buyers only acquiring those portions of the maps which they deemed most useful - thus the incompleteness of most known examples. (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 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 rich and striking large-format 1866 John Bachmann panoramic three-color chromolithograph view of New York City as seen from a point high over the Elysian Fields (baseball) of Hoboken. The view is expansive and utilizes an unusual fish-eye perspective. It looks on Manhattan from the west, with the area of focus roughly corresponding to 32nd Street. Coverage extends north to Central Park, south to Sandy Hook, and east to include parts of Brooklyn and Queens. Manhattan's major parks are recognizable, including Madison Square, Gramercy, Washington Square, City Hall, and the still under construction Central Park. Vast swathes of lotted but undeveloped land are evident along Park Avenue north of Bryant Park. Along the Hudson, there are also a number of large gentlemanly estates - survivors of a bygone era that would soon disappear entirely. The Hudson River is busy with an assortment of sail and steamships. On the right side of the map, Hoboken and beyond, Jersey City, are evident. In the foreground there is a prominent display of the Elysian Fields, where two different baseball games are in progress. (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 John Montresor's striking 1775 map of New York and the surrounding regions - considered the best and most authoritative map of the region at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War (1775 - 1783). (more details)

A most fascinating 1777 first-state first-edition map of New Jersey by William Faden and Bernard Ratzer likely used in the field during the American Revolutionary War by the German Hessian supply officer, Friedrich Wilhelm von Wurmb. While focused on New Jersey, coverage extends to include eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New York City. It captures the state's complex topography, noting the Jersey Highlands and the Palisades in the north and the Pine Barrens and coastal marshes in the south. New Jersey is here broken down into 12 counties, as they existed at the time, as well as multiple towns and roads. Note that there are no coastal routes through Monmouth County, requiring travelers instead to travel inland to Crosswicks, then south east to Egg Harbor, before continuing south. There is also an annotation regarding the settlement of Fort Helsingburg, near Salem on the Delaware River, where in 1640, Swedish settlers attempt to establish a colony. (more details)

A fine 1777 first-state first-edition map of New Jersey by William Faden and Bernard Ratzer - exhibiting the fine strong strike only evident on first editions. Focused on New Jersey, coverage extends to include eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New York City. It captures the state's complex topography, noting the Jersey Highlands and the Palisades in the north and the Pine Barrens and coastal marshes in the south. New Jersey is here broken down into 12 counties, as they existed at the time, as well as multiple towns and roads. Note that there are no coastal routes through Monmouth County, requiring travelers instead to travel inland to Crosswicks, then south east to Egg Harbor, before continuing south. There is also an annotation regarding the settlement of Fort Helsingburg, near Salem on the Delaware River, where in 1640, Swedish settlers attempt to establish a colony. (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 most ... (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 most ... (more details)

This is an extremely rare whimsical 1731 map focusing on the remnants of the ephemeral colony of New Sweden by Jonas Silferling and Tobias Biorck. New Sweden, which by 1731 had been assimilated into British New York, occupied parts of Delaware, New Jersey and ... (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)

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 and ... (more details)

This is a late 19th or early 20th century German chromolithograph bird's eye view of New York City, produced for use in schools. New York was not only one of the largest harbor cities in the world, but was also home to a burgeoning German immigrant community: it would have been a natural focus for a German audience. The 'East River Bridge' is beautifully depicted, and is labeled with that name, dating the piece prior to 1915 when the bridge was renamed 'The Brooklyn Bridge'. Governor's Island is shown, featuring Fort Jay and Castle Williams. (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 York ... (more details)

This is Nicolas Sanson's 1656 map of Canada, the Northeast and the Great Lakes, in a superb, untrimmed example. It was among the most influential and important maps of the north part of the Americas to be printed in the 17th century - its depiction of Canada was not superseded until De l'Isle's 1703 Carte du Canada, and it featured the finest depiction of the Great Lakes until the 1687 Coronelli-Nolin. It is among the first printed maps to be informed by the reports of French Jesuit explorers, whose exploration of the Great Lakes region after Champlain's initial explorations was stalled by the 1648 escalation of the Beaver Wars (1603 - 1701) with the Iroquois Confederacy. Following the 1653 pause in the war, Jesuit and French fur traders resumed their push west, gradually revealing the form of the Great Lakes.

The map's treatment of the Arctic waters and Maritime Canada builds on Champlain's basic model, adding place names derived from Dutch and English exploration and preserving Button's explicit northwest passage leading from Button's Bay. (more details)

A magnificent example of Justus Danckerts' 1690 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 and sheep, ... (more details)

A first issue first edition example of a seminal map. This is a rare and unusual version of the 1768 first edition of Holland and Jefferys seminal map of New York and New Jersey. Depicts the important trade corridor between New York and Montreal, ... (more details)

A seminal production, this is the first edition, first state, of Thomas Gordon's impressive wall map of New Jersey. This is the first large scale map of New Jersey to be printed in the United States. Gordon's map, issued at the behest of the New ... (more details)

Magnificently detailed, visually stunning, and monumentally proportioned, this is William Kitchell's seminal 1860 case map of New Jersey. Dissected and mounted on thirty-six linen backed panels, this map covers the entire state of New Jersey as ... (more details)

This is a previously uncatalogued 1871 Ernest L. Meyer and W. F. Wonneberg cadastral wall map of Elizabeth, New Jersey. This map is a unique record of the urban expansion of Elizabeth through the late 19th century. (more details)

This is Nicolas Sanson's 1656 map of Canada, the Northeast, and the Great Lakes, in an attractive, untrimmed example. It ranks among the most influential and important maps of the north part of the Americas to be printed in the 17th century - its depiction of Canada was not superseded until De l'Isle's 1703 Carte du Canada, and it features the finest depiction of the Great Lakes until the 1687 Coronelli-Nolin. It is among the first printed maps to be informed by the reports of French Jesuit explorers, whose exploration of the Great Lakes region after Champlain's initial explorations was stalled by the 1648 escalation of the Beaver Wars (1603 - 1701) with the Iroquois Confederacy. Following the 1653 pause in the war, Jesuit and French fur traders resumed their push west, gradually revealing the form of the Great Lakes. (more details)

An utterly spectacular and sprawling 1850 John Williams Norie blueback nautical chart or maritime map depicting the North American coastline from New York to the Florida Keys. The map is oriented to the west, as a navigator from Europe would ... (more details)

Magnificently detailed, visually stunning, and monumentally proportioned, this is William Kitchell's seminal 1860 wall map of New Jersey. This is the largest map of New Jersey printedi n the 19th century. Mounted on linen with rollers, this ... (more details)

An important 1777 Revolutionary War era map of New York and New Jersey by Claude Joseph Sauthier and Matthew Lotter. This map is Lotter's German edition of Sauthier's map of 1776. The map covers from Quebec and Lake Champlain along the ... (more details)

A fine first edition first state old color example of Jan Jansson's 1636 map of the northeast American coastline from Cape Lookout (here identified as C. of Feare) to Nova Scotia. The map includes parts of modern day North Carolina, ... (more details)

A fine c. 1756 example of one of Tobias Conrad Lotter's most iconic maps. This is Lotter's important map of the Middle Atlantic and New England regions during the British colonial period. One of the most desirable, interesting and ... (more details)

A fine first edition first state old color example of Jan Jansson's 1636 map of the northeast American coastline from Cape Lookout (here identified as C. of Feare) to Nova Scotia. The map includes parts of modern day North Carolina, ... (more details)

A c. 1750 example of Matthäus Seutter's map of the Middle Atlantic and New England regions during the British colonial period. It encompasses the Middle English Colonies, particularly New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, capturing a period of rapid westward expansion and encouraging German emigration and settlement. (more details)

This is Conrad Tobias Lotter's 1777 map of the Northeast and New York, the final map in the Jansson-Visscher series. Despite the map's cartography being over a century old, this map continued to capture the idea of this part of the world for Europeans in general and a German audience in particular. (more details)

An extremely scarce and dramatic large format 1899 view of Morristown, New Jersey. Prepared by the Newark firm of Landis and Alsop, this view depicts Morristown from somewhere high above the eastern part of town looking west. The ... (more details)