The rare first state of an important and in some ways groundbreaking map. The woodblock for this map was destroyed shortly after its publication in a fire in November of 1557, hence its rarity. The map was compiled by the great Venetian cartographer, Giacomo Gastaldi, and appeared in a three-volume..... More about Universale Della Parte Del Mondo
The first separate map of the Pacific in a strong example. “One of the most important maps that appeared in the Ortelius atlases ...” (Burden). With its two splendid cartouches and a well-detailed illustration of Magellan’s flagship, the Victoria, this is also one of the most beautifully engraved of Ortelius’..... More about Maris Pacifici, (quod vulgo Mar del Zur
"In many respects this map is the first printed map of Alaska." (Verner) However, much of what is shown here is imaginary, since most of the area covered by the map had not yet been seen by Europeans. The map does extend to northern California, so in its southern portions... More about Limes Occidentis Quivira et Anian. 1597
A beautiful example of one of the earliest, acquirable maps to focus on what is now the United States. The Jansson-Hondius was also one of the first Dutch atlas maps to show California as an island, preceded only by the Hondius world map of 1630. A note on the map... More about America Septentrionalis
An attractive example of a pivotal map, which inaugurated a new era in the cartography of North America, as dominance in mapmaking turned decidedly in favor of the French. In addition to being one of the earliest obtainable maps to show all five Great Lakes in a recognizable form, this..... More about Amerique Septentrionale
A superb, richly hand-colored example of a wall map of extraordinary intricacy and detail: "one of the most decorative maps of North America of the 18th century" (Tooley). Its elaborate illustrations provide a panorama of the Discovery Period, colorfully depicting the mores, rituals and practices of indigenous peoples thought to... More about Carte Tres Curieuse de la Mer du Sud
Beautiful example of the finely engraved Italian edition of this landmark map focusing on the northwest American coast and northern Pacific. The first edition of the map introduced some of the most influential cartographic fictions relating to this region: the so-called the Sea of the West and a complete Northwest... More about Cartes des Nouvelles Decouvertes Au Nord De La Mer Du Sud, Tant a l'Ouest de la Siberie et du...
A scarce, attractively engraved map focusing on northeastern Russia and including part of Alaska. It appeared in M. Marbault’s Essai sur le commerce de Russie…, which is an account of Russian trade as well as a history of Russian explorations in the areas depicted on the map. Some of the..... More about Carte des Decouvertes des Russes dans la Mer Orientale…
An early map by the prestigious French mapmaker to include an engraved borderline for the newly founded United States as agreed upon by the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Also, the map’s title was altered from earlier states to incorporate the name (in French) for the United States, Etats Unis..... More about Amerique Septentrionale . . . Les Etats Unis . . . Publiee en 1750 et Corrigee en 1783
A beautiful example in full, vibrant, period color of a majestic, folding world map. A rare issue with very important updates. The map is an extraordinary compendium of oceanic exploration and contains voyage tracks from the 15th century to those contemporaneous with the map including those relating to polar and... More about A New Chart of the World On Mercator's Projection With The Track Of The Most Celebrated &...
Parker's important map, here with the complete text of his narrative, was based on both personal observation and reports of the fur traders of the Hudson Bay Company and is considered a landmark in the mapping of the region. It provided an excellent depiction of the river systems and tribal..... More about Journal Of An Exploring Tour Beyond The Rocky Mountains, Under the Direction Of The A. B. C. F. M…
Rare, separately issued, folding map. Superb example of the first useful map of the California gold fields, produced specifically for the use of prospectors and miners. It is also the very first map to actually name Sutter’s Mill. It is readily apparent how this map and others like it that..... More about Lawson's Map from Actual Survey of the Gold, Silver & Quicksilver Regions of Upper...
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Scarce, finely engraved chart on two sheets of the entire west coast of the United States and including the southern portion of Vancouver Island. Each of the 27 coastal recognitions on the charts is delicately realized. These provided visual reference for the entry to the major bays and ports as... More about Two sheets: America West Cape Mendocino to Vancouver Id. from Cape Flattery southward... [and]...
A superb, scarce, very well-preserved, mid-19th century chart of San Francisco Bay and Harbor. Although a semi-official British chart, it was based on the survey of an American Naval officer, Lt. James Alden. Under the superintendence of Capt. Washington, the Admiralty office greatly increased its output and obtained surveys sources..... More about N. America West Coast San Francisco HarbourSurveyed by Lieut. James Alden U. S Navy 1856
The scarce first edition, in a fine, vibrant example. This map was an early iteration of what Wheat called "the great 'map of the Pacific states'" by William H. Knight published in 1863, also by the Bancroft firm. This map and its many offspring established Bancroft as "the greatest map..... More about Bancroft's Map of California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona
The first edition of the map that provided the definitive depiction of the United States at the conclusion of the Civil War. It would appear through the mid 1880’s in many, progressively updated editions. The map’s primary purpose was to record the progress of the surveys of the General Land..... More about Map of the United States and Territories
Very scarce. This was the only large-scale printed map of Washington during the territory period, and it is certainly one of the most visually appealing ever produced of this area. Its publication followed a period of remarkable growth, when the population of the Territory more than doubled between 1860 and... More about A Map of Washington Territory West of the Cascade Mountains
An excellent nautical chart covering the California coast from San Francisco to the southern tip of the Baja peninsula and including the adjoining coast of lower California and Mexico. Among the chart's 21 harbor insets are ones of Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Diego and a very large... More about West Coast of North America from San Blas to San Francisco…
A bright, vibrant example of a map of California and the western states by "the greatest map publisher of the Pacific Coast" (Wheat). The map descended from what Wheat called "the great 'map of the Pacific states'"--that of William H. Knight, published in 1863, also by the Bancroft firm. The... More about Bancroft's Map of California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona
Scarce; separately published. A wonderfully detailed, panoramic view of the city seen from Nob Hill, with the ship-filled bay in the far background. Surrounding the primary view are 22 finely engraved vignettes depicting notable structures, lively streetscapes, and even a chaotic scene on a wharf featuring a brawl. The work... More about San Francisco-California
An unusually well-preserved example of a work hailed by Wheat as "one of the most beautiful maps every published by the Army." It is, moreover, one those rare maps whose geographic import matches its exceptional aesthetics. This “landmark map for various regions” (Wheat) was the first to display Macomb’s discovery..... More about Map of Explorations And Surveys In New Mexico And Utah…
Attractive, richly detailed map, important for the extent of railroad information that includes even small spur lines and stations. Also significant is the table listing 545 private land grants that are keyed to the map. Using the best available sources, the map was compiled from the official records of the... More about State of California. Published by the Department of the Interior, General Land Office. J. A....
An excellent map of the state compiled from the official records of the General Land Office and other sources by C. Roeser, Principal Draughtsman of the G.L.O. Mining operations and mountain ranges are shown in considerable details. It also shows rail lines, range and township lines, cities and towns, county..... More about State of Nevada. Published by the Department of the Interior, General Land Office. J. A....
Two striking, large-scale sheets from Hayden’s The U. S. Geological and Geographic Survey of the Territory, Embraced by Idaho and Wymong... and based on surveys conducted in 1877 and 1878. With its vivid colors, the map shows the various type of geology found in primarily southeastern Wyoming. On the map... More about Two Sheets: Parts Of Western Wyoming And Southeastern Idaho. <BR>with: Panoramic Views
A mint example. “The first printed map devoted to California and the southwest of the present-day United States" (Burden). It summarizes the cartography of the area shortly before its depiction as an island. However, the map does contain the major geographical fallacies of the area derived from imaginative Spanish narratives..... More about Granata Nova Et California