Chapin, William
William Chapin (1802 - 1888) was a prominent New York and Philadelphia based engraver active in the early part of the 19th century. Although we know little of Chapin's early years, he seems to have been an apprenticed from 1817, at the age of 15, to John Vallance in the Philadelphia firm Tanner, Vallance, Kearny & Company. This firm, which is responsible for Tanner's early maps and atlases, had a substantial cartographic corpus. There are records to indicate that Chapin purchased his freedom from Vallance for 125 USD in 1822. In time, he established a significant engraving business under his own name, and with a heavy focus on cartographic material, in both Pennsylvania and New York. Fielding suggests that Chapin's large map of the United States is in fact the first American published map to be engraved steel. Around 1839, Chapin seems to have changed careers when he accepted a position as Commissioner of Public Schools in New York. In this capacity, Chapin developed an interest in working with and teaching blind children. Chapin served as headmaster of several schools for the blind in Ohio and New York. His most significant work with the blind took place at Overbrook School for the Blind, where he developed contemporary techniques for teaching and published the first dictionary for the blind. (Fielding, M. & Carr, J. Dictionary of American Painters, Sculptors, and Engravers, p. 61.)
Important content for Texas and Florida.
Lay's Map of the United States Compiled from the Latest and best Authorities and Actual Surveys.
$3,500.00
Acquire
- Digital Map Information
- Suitable for large format printing
- DPI: 600
- File Size: 400.53 MB
- File Type: ZIP / TIFF
- ICC color profile embedded
- Delivered instantly via download link
This 1832 Amos Lay map of the United States is one of the earliest and largest American wall maps. It features significant content regarding early grants in Texas and Florida, as well as a contemporaneous depiction of America's Canal Age. (more details)
Identifies the Ouisconsin (Wisconsin) Territory before its official creation.
Map of the United States.
$1,250.00
Acquire
- Digital Map Information
- Suitable for large format printing
- Full resolution TIFF file
- ICC color profile embedded
- Delivered instantly via download link
This is an 1832 Humphrey Phelps map of the United States with a dramatic portrait of George Washington. Coverage extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Rocky Mountains. (more details)