Mathew Carey was a seminal figure in early American publishing; establishing the first publishing firm to specialize in cartography and issuing the first atlas devoted exclusively to American maps. He set up an elaborate cottage system of craftsmen for compiling, engraving, printing, and coloring maps. This practice was emulated by later American cartographic publishers such as John Melish and Henry S. Tanner. The American Atlas concept was also adopted by other publishers in both the United States and Europe.

1) The Northwestern Territories of the United States (9.7" x 7.7") covers the region from Michigan through Lake of the Woods and Lake Winnipeg. The Great Lakes are slightly distorted and include the spurious islands in Lake Superior including one named Phillipcaux I. The map names Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and the settlements of Detroit, Sandwich, Miami B., F. St. Claire, F. Dearborne, Chicago, and more. The northern border of Illinois is shown level with the top of Indiana at 42°, which places Chicago in the Northwestern Territory. Spurious mountain ranges, engraved in hachure, are shown snaking across the territory.

2) The Eastern States with Part of Canada (9.7" x 7.8") details New England and south to Philadelphia and west to Detroit. Good detail of the watershed of the St. Lawrence from Lake Erie to it mouth. Locates several towns and settlements along the river including Quebec, Montreal and Kingston. Maine is the District of Maine.

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Condition: B+

Both with some light offsetting and short, clean fold splits, closed on verso. Upper margin on first map has been extended to accommodate framing.