COLLECTION NAME:
David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
Record
Author:
Melish, John
Date:
1816
Short Title:
Composite: Map of the United States with the contiguous British & Spanish Possessions.
Publisher:
John Melish
Publisher Location:
Philadelphia
Type:
Case Map
Type:
Composite Map
Obj Height cm:
89
Obj Width cm:
145
Scale 1:
3,900,000
Note:
Composite of dissected map. With insets of the West Indies and a Statistical Table. This map has the distinction of being the first large scale detailed map made in the U.S. that showed the entire country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This copy is an early state of the first edition -this is Martin's third state of the first edition and Ristow's fourth state (Ristow discovered a town and trail added in Ohio - Adelphi - making for a sub state of Martin's third state). The first state was an incomplete proof copy, making this the second/third state of the completed copy. The differences between this and the first complete state are small: Mansfield, Wooster, and Adelphi (and a trail from Adelphi to Athens and Chillicothe) added in Ohio, and "Vevay or" added before "Swiss Vineyards" in southeastern Indiana. Martin and Ristow identify seven states of the 1816 edition. Melish published new editions in 1818 (five states), 1819 (two states), 1820 (eight states), 1822 (two states), and 1823 (one state) for a total of twenty five different issues. Notwithstanding the many issues, the map has become extremely rare. A book accompanied the map (though issued separately) titled "A Geographical Description of the United States..." (see our #2424). Outline color by state or territory. This copy is dissected into 40 sections, backed with linen, and edged in brown cloth. It folds with marbled end sheets into new blue cloth folding boards and slip case 24.5x16.5 with leather label on spine reading "Melish. Map Of The United States. 1816" in gold.
Reference:
Martin/Ristow 24; Streeter 3798.
Country:
United States
Full Title:
Map of the United States with the contiguous British & Spanish Possessions Compiled from the latest & best Authorities By John Melish. Engraved by J. Vallance & H.S. Tanner. Entered ... 6th day of June 1816. Published by John Melish Philadelphia. (inset) West Indies.
List No:
5168.002
Series No:
3
Engraver or Printer:
Tanner, Henry S.
Engraver or Printer:
Vallance, J.
Publication Author:
Melish, John
Pub Date:
1816
Pub Title:
Map of the United States with the contiguous British & Spanish Possessions Compiled from the latest & best Authorities By John Melish. Engraved by J. Vallance & H.S. Tanner. Entered ... 6th day of June 1816. Published by John Melish Philadelphia. (inset) West Indies.
Pub Reference:
Martin/Ristow 24; Streeter 3798.
Pub Note:
See note field above.
Pub List No:
5168.000
Pub Type:
Case Map
Pub Maps:
1
Pub Height cm:
25
Pub Width cm:
17
Image No:
5168002
Authors:
Melish, John
