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"Kentucky." From Travels through the United States, in the years 1806 & 1807, and 1809, 1810 & 1811. Philadelphia: J. Melish, 1815. 7 1/4 x 14. Engraving by J. Vallance. Original outline color. With repaired separation along one fold. With narrow margins, as issued; trimmed into neatline at right and repaired in facsimile. A few very light spots. Otherwise, very good condition and very good appearance.
This map of Kentucky is from John Melish's Travels through the United States. The geographic information was gathered by Melish on his 1811 trip down the Ohio River by boat and then overland from Louisville to Frankfort and Lexington. The picture of Kentucky is accurate in some places, but also lacking in others. The disputed southern boundary with Tennessee does not indicate its exact longitude and it doesn't show the two jogs in the actual line. Melish did locate Forts Massac, Wilkinson and Jefferson, as well as most of the major rivers and creeks. As noted in Thomas D. Clark's Historic Maps of Kentucky (p. 72), "Since John Melish was particularly interested in enticing immigrants to move to America to take advantage of abundant cheap lands, he gave attention to the location of streams. These are remarkable well placed, and in most cases their courses are shown with some accuracy." Roads are also noted, including the great Wilderness Road. This map is from the 1815 edition of the work, which added information on the counties in the state and hand color to delineate them. $975
William E. Morris after John Melish. "Map of Pennsylvania, Constructed from the County Surveys authorized by the State; and other original Documents. Revised And Improved Under the supervision of Wm. E. Morris, Civil Engineer." Philadelphia: R.L. Barnes, [1848]-1849. Copyright, R.L. Barnes 1848. 50 x 74. Engraving by Edward Yeager. Original hand color. Conserved and mounted on new linen backing. Very good condition.
In 1816, the Pennsylvania State legislature passed a law to produce an official state map, and this project was given to the supervision of Philadelphia mapmaker John Melish. Melish called for each county to produce a standardized map, which he would then use to compile a full state map. He worked for six years on this map, which was finally produced in 1822, with revised editions issued in 1824, 1826, and 1832. As each of these maps was produced, one could see the internal growth and development of the state, with new roads and canals, settlements and other features making their appearance with each new issue. By the 1830s, however, it became clear that the tremendous growth of the state demanded an updated and revised version of this official state map. Civil Engineer William E. Morris was authorized to gather updated information from each county, and he proceeded to 'revise and improve' Melish's map, with the new engravings done by Philadelphia craftsman Edward Yeager. The map was copyrighted and first issued in 1848 and this example was issued a year later with some updating. The size of this map and its myriad public uses determined that the map would be issued in the format of a wall map. Its sheets were joined, mounted on canvas, and varnished so that it could be hung in public plates throughout the state. Added along the bottom of the map are several tables of information. These include: "Anthracite Coal Trade of Pennsylvania," "Public Works of Pennsylvania," "Approximate Estimate of Bituminous Coal Mined in 1847," and "Statistical Table Shewing The Prominent Features of each County." It map is a superb picture of Pennsylvania at mid-century and it is the last of the great engraved maps of the state. $6,500
From Travels Through The United States of America, in the years 1806 & 1807, and 1809, 1810, & 1811. Philadelphia: J. Melish, 1812. Engravings. Ca. 6 1/2 x 4 /18. Very good condition.
Melish's first publication. He noted in the preface "as I have always considered books of travels to be very defective when unaccompanied by maps, I have spared no labour, nor expence [sic], to have a good set of maps to illustrate this work." These were Melish's first maps and obviously he was inspired by the process of making them, for this was the beginning of his cartographic career.
Unlike the larger folding maps (cf. above), the smaller maps that appeared in the British edition of Melish's Travels appear to have been re-engraved in London.
The success of his Travels prompted Melish to issue, in 1813, a general map on the "Seat of the War [of 1812]." This map was commercially very successful, so Melish then produced a number of other maps of regions involved in the War, issuing them in a Military and Topographical Atlas. Two years later he issued an updated edition of the Atlas, with the addition of some new maps of new areas of the conflict.
Beginning in 1816, Melish issued his Geographical Description, which contained extensive information about the entire United States and surrounding regions. In 1822, Melish issued a considerably expanded edition, which included 12 of his small, regional maps
A series of regional maps similar to those in A Geographical Description of the United States but slightly smaller. These were likely issued around 1822, perhaps shortly after Melish's death that year.
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