Tag Archive for: antique maps

Discover 19th Century United States in 13 Antiquarian Maps

One interesting way to understand historical picture is through antiquarian maps. Maps can tell stories with a unique geographical, objective perspective in a way no other medium can. And they make great wall art.

Today, we’re traveling back in time through these 13 historical maps of US states from the 19th century:

Florida, 1835

Map of Florida by Illustrator and Cartographer Thomas G. Bradford, First Edition, 1835. Estimate: $200-$250

 

Arkansas, 1841

‘Tanner Map of Arkansas – A New Map of Arkansas with its Canals Roads & Distances,’ Cartographer: Henry S. Tanner, 1841. Estimate: $200-$250

 

Atlas Map of Texas, 1873

Gray’s Atlas Map of Texas, Illustrator: O. W. Gray, 1873. Estimate: $250-$300

 

New York, 1846

A New Map of New York with its Canals, Roads & Distances, Cartographer S. Augustus Mitchell, Illustrator H. Burroughs, First Edition, 1846. Estimate: $150-$200

 

New Jersey, 1814

The State of New Jersey, Compiled from the Most Authentic Information, Cartographer M. Carey, 1814. Estimate: $600-$800

 

Illinois, 1874

Warner Beers Map of Illinois: Political and Geological – Political Map of Illinois / Worthen’s Geological and Climate Map of Illinois, ca 1874. Estimate: $100-$150

 

Indiana, 1846

A New Map of Indiana with Its Roads & Distances, Cartographer: S. Augustus Mitchell, Illustrator H.N. Burroughs, 1846. Estimate: $100-$150

 

Iowa, 1853

A New Map of the State of Iowa, Cartographer: S. Augustus Mitchell, Publisher: Thomas Cowperthwait & Co, 1853. Estimate: $150-$200

 

Nebraska & Kanzas, 1855

Nebraska and Kanzas, Cartographer: J. H. Colton, 1855. Estimate: $200-$250

 

Minnesota, 1882

Rand McNally Map of Minnesota – Rand McNally & Company’s Indexed Atlas of the World, 1882. Estimate: $100-$150

 

Ohio, 1887

J.T. Barker’s Rail Road and Township Map of Ohio, 1887. Estimate: $100-$150

 

California, 1892

New Business Atlas Map of California, Rand McNally, 1892. Estimate: $150-$200

 

Texas, 1883

Texas, Cartographer: George F. Cram, 1883. Estimate: $120-$200

 

Want to explore more of the United States or perhaps jump continents? Check out this week’s Antiquarian Map auction for beautiful map prints.

Explore the World Through Beautiful Antique Maps

Explore the art and science of cartography in a 61-lot auction of antique maps presented on Sunday, Oct. 9. Unlike their modern counterparts, these early printed maps trace borders that shifted with each expedition into the frontier.

Discover voyagers like Capt. John Smith who plotted landmarks, raced to Caribbean islands, or proved that California was not an island. Produced by leading cartographers of their day, these maps reveal innumerable ways to view the globe. Below you’ll find a few standouts from this week’s collection:

Insulae Americanae in Oceano Septentrionali, cum Terris adiacentibus is an attractive map of the Caribbean based on Blaeu’s 1635 chart.

‘Insulae Americanae in Oceano Septentrionali, cum Terris adiacentibus’ follows the coastline from Chesapeake Bay to northern South America. Published by Arnoldus Montanus in Amsterdam in 1671. Estimate: $700-$1,200

‘Insulae Americanae in Oceano Septentrionali, cum Terris adiacentibus’ follows the coastline from Chesapeake Bay to northern South America. Published by Arnoldus Montanus in Amsterdam in 1671. Estimate: $700-$1,200

Virginia and Maryland are included in (Terrae- Mariae) Nova (et) Virginiae Tabula, which is based on Captain John Smith’s first survey of Chesapeake Bay. The map (below) was printed by J. Ogilby and A. Montanus in Amsterdam in 1671.

‘(Terrae- Mariae) Nova (et) Virginiae Tabula,’ 1671, based the Blaeu-Hondius engraving of the Capt. John Smith first survey of the Chesapeake Bay. Estimate: $1,000-$1,500

‘(Terrae- Mariae) Nova (et) Virginiae Tabula,’ 1671, based the Blaeu-Hondius engraving of the Capt. John Smith first survey of the Chesapeake Bay. Estimate: $1,000-$1,500

Etats-Unis De L’Amerique Septentrionale Avec Les Isles Royale, De Terre Neuve, De St. Jean, L’Acadie shows the United States in 1785 immediately after the American Revolutionary War. It was printed by F. Delamarche in Paris. The Delamarche family was a dominant force in both map and globe production in France from the late 18th to the latter part of the 19th century.

 

Having won the American War of Independence, the United States looked to expand westward. This map published in 1785 shows early iteratons of Illinois and Indiana. It measures 18.75 x 24.75. Estimate: $1,100-$2,000. Jasper52 image

Having won the American War of Independence, the United States looked to expand westward. This map published in 1785 shows early iterations of Illinois and Indiana. Estimate: $1,100-$2,000

Unlike early 18th century maps of the Western Hemisphere, a 1715 map made by Joseph Homann page titled Totius Africae shows a more accurate outline of the continent.

‘Totius Africae’ by Joseph Homann, 1715, original color copperplate engraving. Estimate: $200-$500

‘Totius Africae’ by Joseph Homann, 1715, original color copperplate engraving. Estimate: $200-$500

For explorers who favor fire and ice, there is a 1644 map of Tabuka Islandiae, or Iceland listed.

‘Tabuka Islandiae’ (Iceland), by Hondius/Blaeu, 1644, hand-colored copper plate engraving.Estimate: $250-$450

‘Tabuka Islandiae’ (Iceland), by Hondius/Blaeu, 1644, hand-colored copper plate engraving.Estimate: $250-$450

Peruse the full Antique Maps catalog here and be sure to place an advance bid. Reminder: All bids start at just $1.