This rare map is one of the earliest printed maps of the American Revolution. It depicts the British fortifications at the entrance to Boston Neck along present-day Washington Street following the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill. The map locates the Bomb Battery, 25 men "Blinds", the salt marshes, the stockade line, and more. The original August 1775 issue of Pennsylvania Magazine that the map appeared in is included in the lot. On page 358, there is a key identifying 29 guns (e.g. "12-pound Cannon 60 round shot lying to each") and the gate and drawbridge. The same page also features the following note: "As the transactions at Boston are at present the principal object of attention of the whole Continent, the Editor thought he could not oblige his readers more than by giving them an exact plan of General Gage's fortifications and entrenchments there." Another note reads, in reference to the map, "This is a true state this day, July 31, 1775." Engraved by the magazine's publisher, Robert Aitken. Aitken is perhaps best known for being the first to publish an English language Bible in the United States.

References: Nebenzahl (Biblio) #5; Wheat & Brun #237.

Condition: B

Issued folding and now flattened and backed with heavy tissue to reinforce and repair a few fold separations and numerous small edge tears at top. There are a few stains at left and scattered foxing. Two chips in the top margin have been replaced with old paper and a tiny portion of the border has been drawn in facsimile. The bottom margin has been extended to better accommodate framing. Magazine text is moderately toned with scattered foxing.