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
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
"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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
![Two sheets: America West Cape Mendocino to Vancouver Id. from Cape Flattery southward... [and]...](/pictures/thumb/10631.jpg?v=1508790994)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
A handsomely bound, complete, first English edition of Lewis and Clark’s momentous expedition account, which signaled the opening of the American West. The American edition of this work, published in Philadelphia also in 1814, has become very rare and commands proportionate prices. Wheat (Map 317) points out that this English..... More
In a sense, this is the first “road map” of the United States’ first super highway—the Oregon Trail. “The first large-scale map of the Oregon Trail,…it is a guide for the westward-bound traveler by a mapmaker who had already traveled the route. In fact, most of the information is based..... More
First state, separately published on heavy, unfolded paper; not from the Coast Survey’s Annual Report. What can be considered the beginning of the systematic scientific charting of the California coast commenced in 1848--only a few years prior to the publication of this chart—when the U. S. Coast Survey first extended..... More