Catalog Archive
Auction 164, Lot 115

First Reference to Michigan as a Land Division of the United States

"Etats-Unis de l'Amerique Septentrionale avec les Isles Royale, de Terre Neuve, de St. Jean, l'Acadie &c.", Delamarche, Charles Francois

Subject: Eastern United States & Canada

Period: 1785 (dated)

Publication: Atlas Universel

Color: Hand Color

Size:
24.8 x 18.8 inches
63 x 47.8 cm
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This handsome map covers the newly created United States and extends to take in much of the Louisiana Territory and part of New Mexico. It also extends to show parts of eastern Canada and the Bahamas. Detail along the Rio del Norte includes Taos and Santa Fe. The map identifies many Indian villages and tribal territory. There are extensive notes throughout regarding early explorers such as De Soto and La Salle, Indian nations, forts and other points of early interest. One of the most intriguing features of the map is the text block, which lists the original 13 states with their capitals and also ten new states proposed in the Jeffersonian Ordinance of 1784: Silvania, Michigania, Chersonesus, Arsenistpia, Metropotamia, Illinoia, Saratoga, Washington, Polypotamia, and Pelisypia. This is the first reference on any map to Michigan as applying to a land division of the United States. The title cartouche has a nautical theme.

References: Karpinski (MI) pp. 179-180, #CIII; McCorkle #785.5; Seller & Van Ee #187.

Condition: B+

On watermarked paper with several repaired edge tears, only a few of which just enter the map border. There are a few stains, a small rust hole along the centerfold, and minor soiling in the blank margins.

Estimate: $900 - $1,100

Sold for: $600

Closed on 9/13/2017

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