Mathew Carey's General Atlas
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Maps by Mathew Carey. From various atlases. Philadelphia: M. Carey, 1795-1818. Engravings. Very good condition, except as noted.
A very important group of early maps of American states and territories by Mathew Carey, one of the seminal figures in early American Cartography. These maps are from various editions of Carey's Atlas which represented the best American cartographic work of the period. Carey's Atlas was originally issued in 1795 to accompany the American edition of Guthrie's Geography Improved, and it was subsequently issued into the early nineteenth century. Mathew Carey, an Irish immigrant, stands at the forefront of American cartography, for he established the first American specialized cartographic publishing firm. In and around Philadelphia, Carey 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, for setting the pattern of American map publishing, to be followed by the likes of John Melish and Henry S. Tanner.
Not only was Carey's organization important, but his maps are some of the best issued around the turn of the century during the first decades of the United States. His maps wonderfully document the amazing development of the nascent nation, showing the political, social and economic development of the states and territories. Having access to the best information available on a timely basis, as well as using the best American craftsmen of the period, Carey's maps are shining examples of the high level of American cartography at the time.
- "The District of Maine." 1814. 15 1/2 x 11 1/4. Engraving by John G. Warnike. Original outline color. $1,400
- Samuel Lewis. "New Hampshire." 1818. Engraving by Gridley. 17 3/4 x 11 1/4. Original outline color. $750
- Amos Doolittle. "Vermont From actual Survey." 1814. Engraved by Amos Doolittle. 14 1/2 x 12. $800
- Samuel Lewis. "The State of New York." 1814. 16 x 19 1/2. Engraved by J.G. Warnicke. Original outline color. $750
- Samuel Lewis after Reading Howell. "The State of Pennsylvania. reduced with permission from Reading Howells Map, by Samuel Lewis." 1795. 11 1/2 x 17 7/8. Engraved by James Smither. Wheat & Brun: 442. $1,250
- "Pennsylvania." 11 1/2 x 18 1/4. Original outline color. $825
- Samuel Lewis. "The State of Maryland from the Best Authorities." 1795. 11 5/8 x 16 1/2. Engraved by W. Barker. Wheat & Brun: 510. $850
- "Plat of The Seven Ranges of Townships being Part of the Territory of the United States N.W. of the River Ohio Which by a late act of Congress are directed to be sold." After Thomas Hutchins. 1814. 23 7/8 x 13 3/8. Engraving by William Barker. $825
- "A Map of The Tennassee State formerly Part of North Carolina taken Chiefly from Surveys to Genl. D. Smith & others." 1800. 9 3/8 x 18 7/8. Some soft creases. Overall, very good condition. Wheat & Brun: 653; state III. $2,400
- "The State of Tennessee." 1814. 9 5/8 x 20 1/2. Engraving. Original outline color. Full margins. A few light spots on centerfold. A small replaced section in bottom right corner, far from printed surface. Otherwise, very good condition. $1,500
- Another "The State of Tennessee." 1818. Some minor spotting and light pencil in margins. Overall, very good condition. $1,500
- "Mexico or New Spain." 1814. 17 5/8 x 15 5/8. Original outline color. $850
Return to 19th century maps of the regions of the United States
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