Eastern North America by Samuel Dunn, published by Robert Sayer and John Bennett. 1776
An impressive and finely engraved map of British North America by the English mathematician and cartographer Samuel Dunn, incorporating geographical information derived from the surveys of Captain Jonathan Carver (1710–1780).
The map extends from the Gulf of Mexico and Florida in the south to Greenland, Baffin Bay, and the Arctic regions in the north, encompassing the thirteen British colonies, Canada, Labrador, Newfoundland, Hudson Bay, and the vast territories surrounding the Great Lakes and the Mississippi Valley.
Published during the American Revolutionary War, the map provides a fascinating representation of the British Empire in North America at a time when its political and territorial integrity was being fundamentally challenged.
The eastern seaboard is shown in considerable detail, with the thirteen American colonies identified and their boundaries delineated in contemporary outline colour. The map also illustrates the extensive British possessions acquired from France following the Treaty of Paris in 1763, including Canada and the territories east of the Mississippi River.
Particularly noteworthy is the treatment of the northern regions. Hudson Bay occupies a prominent central position, surrounded by the territories of New North Wales, New South Wales, Labrador, and the Arctic Lands. Baffin Bay, Davis Strait, Cumberland Island, and the southern coast of Greenland are depicted, reflecting contemporary geographical knowledge and the continuing uncertainty surrounding the Arctic coastline.
The map records numerous rivers, lakes, trading posts, settlements, and Indigenous territories throughout the interior. The Great Lakes are carefully delineated, while the Mississippi and its tributaries provide the principal geographical framework for the western regions. The names and approximate territories of numerous Native American peoples are included, offering valuable evidence of eighteenth-century European geographical knowledge of the continent.
Of particular historical interest are the colonial boundaries and territorial divisions, many of which reflect British administrative arrangements following the Seven Years' War. An explanatory cartouche in the upper left corner lists the principal British territories and colonies, distinguishing between the northern possessions and the established colonies along the Atlantic coast.
The map is embellished with an attractive pictorial title cartouche in the lower right corner, featuring a rugged rocky landscape, trees, vegetation, and a small settlement. The upper left corner contains an elaborate decorative cartouche enclosing a geographical and administrative explanation of the British Empire in North America.
The finely engraved coastline, extensive river systems, carefully rendered topography, and delicate original outline colouring make this an attractive example of late eighteenth-century British cartography.
An important historical map illustrating the geographical extent of British claims in North America during the American Revolutionary War, and a valuable document of the continent's political geography in the final years of British colonial rule over the thirteen American colonies.
Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville (1697 -1782)
French geographer and cartographer to the king. He made more than 200 maps during his life. His maps remained the reference point in cartography throughout the 19th century.
A map of the British Empire, in North America
Item Number: 33361 new Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > America > North America
Eastern North America by Samuel Dunn, published by Robert Sayer and John Bennett.
Title: A map of the British Empire, in North America
London Printed for R. Sayer & J. Bennett, Map & Sea Chartsellers, N° 53 Fleet Street, as the Act directs Aug. 17.1776.
Date of the first edition: 1755.
Date of this map: 1776.
Date on map: 1776.
Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Image size: 480 x 305mm (19 x 12 inches).
Sheet size: 550 x 370mm (21¾ x 14½ inches).
Verso: Blank.
Condition: Original coloured in outline; some soiling in the right upper margin.
Condition Rating: A+.
From: Jefferys Thomas, The American Atlas. London, 1775. (Tooley (Brit.Lib.), T.JEF-2b).
An impressive and finely engraved map of British North America by the English mathematician and cartographer Samuel Dunn, incorporating geographical information derived from the surveys of Captain Jonathan Carver (1710–1780).
The map extends from the Gulf of Mexico and Florida in the south to Greenland, Baffin Bay, and the Arctic regions in the north, encompassing the thirteen British colonies, Canada, Labrador, Newfoundland, Hudson Bay, and the vast territories surrounding the Great Lakes and the Mississippi Valley.
Published during the American Revolutionary War, the map provides a fascinating representation of the British Empire in North America at a time when its political and territorial integrity was being fundamentally challenged.
The eastern seaboard is shown in considerable detail, with the thirteen American colonies identified and their boundaries delineated in contemporary outline colour. The map also illustrates the extensive British possessions acquired from France following the Treaty of Paris in 1763, including Canada and the territories east of the Mississippi River.
Particularly noteworthy is the treatment of the northern regions. Hudson Bay occupies a prominent central position, surrounded by the territories of New North Wales, New South Wales, Labrador, and the Arctic Lands. Baffin Bay, Davis Strait, Cumberland Island, and the southern coast of Greenland are depicted, reflecting contemporary geographical knowledge and the continuing uncertainty surrounding the Arctic coastline.
The map records numerous rivers, lakes, trading posts, settlements, and Indigenous territories throughout the interior. The Great Lakes are carefully delineated, while the Mississippi and its tributaries provide the principal geographical framework for the western regions. The names and approximate territories of numerous Native American peoples are included, offering valuable evidence of eighteenth-century European geographical knowledge of the continent.
Of particular historical interest are the colonial boundaries and territorial divisions, many of which reflect British administrative arrangements following the Seven Years' War. An explanatory cartouche in the upper left corner lists the principal British territories and colonies, distinguishing between the northern possessions and the established colonies along the Atlantic coast.
The map is embellished with an attractive pictorial title cartouche in the lower right corner, featuring a rugged rocky landscape, trees, vegetation, and a small settlement. The upper left corner contains an elaborate decorative cartouche enclosing a geographical and administrative explanation of the British Empire in North America.
The finely engraved coastline, extensive river systems, carefully rendered topography, and delicate original outline colouring make this an attractive example of late eighteenth-century British cartography.
An important historical map illustrating the geographical extent of British claims in North America during the American Revolutionary War, and a valuable document of the continent's political geography in the final years of British colonial rule over the thirteen American colonies.
Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville (1697 -1782)
French geographer and cartographer to the king. He made more than 200 maps during his life. His maps remained the reference point in cartography throughout the 19th century.
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