A highly detailed and finely engraved eighteenth-century map of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island, New Brunswick and the adjoining territories of northeastern North America, published in London by Robert Sayer and John Bennett in 1775.

The map extends from the St. Lawrence River and the Gaspé Peninsula in the north to the Atlantic coast of Maine and Nova Scotia in the south, encompassing the Bay of Fundy, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Prince Edward Island (then known as St. John's Island), and Cape Breton Island.

Based on numerous surveys and other geographical materials, the map provides an exceptionally detailed representation of the region's coastlines, rivers, lakes, settlements, roads and territorial boundaries. Particular attention is devoted to the complex river systems and coastal geography of Nova Scotia and the Bay of Fundy, including the important harbours and settlements associated with British colonial expansion.

The map is also notable for its depiction of the extensive territories inhabited by Indigenous peoples, including the Mi'kmaq and other First Nations, whose traditional lands extended across much of the region long before European colonisation.

The map also depicts the disputed boundary between the British colonies and former French territories. The map reflects the changing political geography of northeastern North America following the British conquest of New France and the Treaty of Paris in 1763.

The offshore waters are carefully delineated, including the principal fishing banks along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia. These fishing grounds were of considerable commercial importance, particularly for the cod fisheries that formed a major part of the region's economy.

The map features an elaborate rococo title cartouche in the upper left corner, decorated with ornamental scrollwork and foliage. The original outline colouring distinguishes the coastlines and territorial boundaries, while fine engraving provides extensive topographical detail.

Published shortly before the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, the map represents an important document of British colonial geography at a time of considerable political and territorial change.

An attractive and historically significant map of northeastern British North America, combining detailed geographical information with fine decorative engraving and original outline colouring.

Thomas Jefferys (c. 1719-1771)

Thomas Jefferys was an outstanding English cartographer who was the leading map supplier of his day. He engraved and printed maps for government and other official bodies and produced a wide range of commercial maps and atlases. He made some of the finest maps of the time of North America and the West Indies.
He was appointed Geographer to the Prince of Wales and George II. However, in 1766, he became bankrupt and subsequently, the publication of his maps was managed by Robert Sayer, who in 1774 was joined in partnership by John Bennett and William Faden.