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.

Important and early map of Maine published just a few short years before it became a state in 1820, when it was still a province of Massachusetts. The six county divisions shown reflect the area as it was in 1798, not including the counties of Kennebec and Oxford, which were added in 1799 and 1804. The map is filled with place-names, primarily in the southern portion of the state, including Cape Neddick, Portland and Casco Bay, Monhegan Island, Bangor, Sebago and Moosehead lakes.

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Condition: A

Wide margins with light printer's ink residue.