Map of Massachusetts Proper Compiled form Actual Surveys made by Order of the General Court, and under the inspection of Agents of their appointment, by Osgood Carleton.
- First Edition
- Map
- Used
Seller: Geographicus Rare Antique Maps, Brooklyn, NY, U.S.A.Geographicus Rare Antique Maps
AbeBooks seller since November 21, 2024
Association member: ABAAESAILAB
View this seller's itemsCondition: Used
£ 7,751.08
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Very good. Full professional restoration Dissected as issued and mounted on fresh linen. Size 32 x 47.5 Inches. 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. A Long and Complicated History The Massachusetts legislature put out a call for a large-scale state map in 1792. In the subsequent months, the state received several proposals. Nearly 18 months later, in June of 1794, they accepted a proposal put forth by veteran cartographers Osgood Carleton and John Norman. Both Carleton and Norman were known to the Legislature. They traveled in educated circles and had already published an important nautical atlas of great benefit to Massachusetts seamen. They further liked Carleton's proposal that a regional map be produced by each town - at the town's expense - sparing the state the need for immediate cash outlay. Collecting the Surveys While the process of mandating that each town produce its own local survey, at its own expense, became the norm for state mapmaking, in 1794 it was revolutionary. Some towns had already produced detailed surveys, so had no problem submitting them, but most lacked the means and expertise to issue anything comprehensive. Provincetown, for example, submitted a 'plan' consisting of nothing more than an outline of the town with no interior detail. More than 90 other towns simply ignored the legislative mandate and submitted nothing at all. The legislature began assessing tax penalties on non-compliant towns, and all but 17 eventually produced surveys, although many were inaccurate and useless. Presenting the Finished Map Despite these many issues, Carleton and Normal completed the map roughly on schedule, presenting it to a committee established by the Massachusetts Legislature on June 29, 1798. The committee was unimpressed. The engraving, done by Norman, was hastily completed and sloppy, leading to numerous errors. Moreover, attempts to illustrate topography with mountain profiles resulted in a sloppy, cluttered map. The legislature demanded these issues be fixed, It is expected in the Mean time they correct all the Error in said maps, and take out the many accidental strokes in the Plate; and also that they make Margins of the Rivers, Ponds, and Sea Coasts neater, and that the whole Plate be better Polished ( Boston Gazette , Aug. 20, 1798, quoted in Ristow, W., American Maps and Mapmakers , p. 91.). The legislature further appointed the known geographical experts Jedidiah Morse, John Davis, and Samuel Webber as 'Agents of the Commonwealth' (Davis later withdrew) to verify the soon-to-be-revised map. The First Official Map of Massachusetts It took Carleton more than two years to revise the map to his satisfaction. In this time, new surveys arrived from the delinquent towns, and others were ordered or updated. Carleton split with Norman and hired two new engravers, Samuel Hill and Joseph Callender, both well known in Boston for quality work. He also reached out to the artist and line-and-stipple engraver George Graham to produce a striking new vignette cartouche. The final product incorporated the wealth of new information, but also removed all topography (except lakes and rivers), yielding a clean, easy-to-read map rich in detail. The new cartouche was also impressive, featuring rich pasture.…
Seller Inventory # Massachusetts-carleton-1801-4
Bibliographic details
- Title
- Map of Massachusetts Proper Compiled form Actual Surveys made by Order of the General Court, and under the inspection of Agents of their appointment, by Osgood Carleton.
- Author
- 1801 Osgood Carleton Map of Massachusetts
- Publication year
- 1801
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Seller catalogs
- MASSACHUSETTS-CONNECTICUT-RHODEISLAND
Geographicus Rare Antique Maps
Brooklyn, NY, U.S.A.
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 7 to 14 business days | 2 to 8 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 12.69 | £ 33.60 |
Payment methods
Store description
Geographicus Rare Antique Maps was founded in New York, New York, by Kevin James Brown in 1999. We are specialist antiquarians dealing in historic maps from all over the world and in all price ranges. Our enthusiasm, passion, and devotion to scholarship is expressed in our meticulously researched descriptions, among the most detailed and comprehensive available anywhere, for each and every rare map that passes over our desk. This same devotion guides the relationships of honesty and trust we have fostered with our clients, whether through purchasing or selling a rare map, getting an appraisal, or simply calling to discuss antique maps in general. We are happy to assist you no matter whether you are an interior decorator, an institution, an experienced collector, or are just looking for a single antique map. Geographicus is a member of the ABAA (Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America), the ILAB (International League of Antiquarian Booksellers), the New York Map Society, the Washington Map Society, the IMCOS, and the Society for the History of Discoveries. While primarily an internet-based company, we are happy to meet with clients to show our antique maps by appointment at our New York City location.…
Specialty
MAPSAssociation member
Seller's business information
NY, U.S.A.
Terms of sale
Geographicus Rare Antique Maps was founded in New York, New York, by Kevin James Brown in 1999. We are specialist antiquarians dealing in historic maps from all over the world and in all price ranges. Our enthusiasm, passion and devotion to scholarship is expressed in our meticulously researched descriptions, among the most detailed and comprehensive available anywhere, for each and every rare map that passes over our desk.
This same devotion guides the relationships of honesty and trust we have fostered with our clients, whether through purchasing or selling a rare map, getting an appraisal, or simply calling to discuss antique maps in general. We are happy to assist you no matter whether you are an interior decorator, an institution, an experienced collector, or are just looking for a single antique map.
Geographicus is a member of the ABAA (Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America), the ILAB (International League of Antiquarian Booksellers), Philip Lee Phillips Society, the New York Map Society, the Washington Map Society, the International Map Collectors Society and the Society for the History of Discoveries. While primarily an internet-based company, we are happy to meet with clients to show our antique maps by appointment at our New York City location.
Geographicus also works with clients to provide map themed interior design services as well as manufacture and install collection storage and display solutions.
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If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
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You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
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You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Geographicus Rare Antique Maps, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A., +1 6463208650, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
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