A Map of New England and New York: Speed, 1675[76]

• Title: A Map of New England and New York
• Author: John Speed - Thomas Bassett and Richard Chiswell
• Date: 1675[76]
• Condition: See description 
• Inches: 14 3/4 x 19 1/2 [Image]
• Centimeters: 37.65 x 49.53 [Image]
• Product ID: 308320

The Map that Named Boston and New York

The Only Uncolored Example on the Market

Fine example of Speed’s famous map covering the east coast from Maryland and New Jersey northward through New York and New England to the French possessions in Canada.  Speed’s map highlights the English conquest of New Amsterdam in 1664 which dramatically shifted European influence in the colonies from the Dutch to the English and yielded a tremendous acquisition of territory by the British. Not only did they acquire New York City and the area covered by New York State, but also New Jersey, Long Island, Martha's Vineyard, and parts of Connecticut and Maine. The map is significant; it is the first appearance of the name Boston, and the first map to use the term New York for both Manhattan and the colony. It is also one of the first maps to show New Jersey. 

Its cartography is drawn from the Joannes Janssonius BELGII NOVI..., 1651 and closely follows the form of Nicolas Jansz. Visscher version published c.1655.  Here, however, the cartographer eliminates the south-westerly regions of the map as the intention was to provide a separate, more detailed map of the Virginia and Maryland area.  While the map's geographical features closely follow the Dutch prototypes, the toponyms are substantially anglicized. The only major cartographic alteration is the narrowing of the Delaware peninsula utilizing the Augustine Herman map, 1673[74].

With its exaggerated depiction of Lake Champlain (Lake of the Irocoisiensi or Irocoisen) and confusing river systems, the map emphasizes how little was known of the wilderness beyond the coasts and river valleys of New England during this early colonial period. It is richly embellished with various animals in the interior of the map, two compass roses, two cartouches and a coat of arms. Normally referred to as “Speed’s Map of New England”, this famous map actually appeared 47 years after his death and was engraved by Francis Lamb for inclusion in the last edition of Speed’s popular atlas, published by Basset.

The English text on verso was accidentally printed upside down, and provides fascinating information on the colonies.

Printing History of Map and Speed Atlas

The map was available separately (with a blank verso) and also included in the 1676 publishing of The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine... also A Prospect of the most famous Parts of the World

The 1676 edition of John Speed's famous atlas marked the high point of its history. First issued in 1612 as a purely English county atlas, it was expanded in 1627 to include A Prospect of the most Famous Parts of the World containing twenty maps of the rest of the world. This was the last edition published in Speed's lifetime; he died in 1629. This and future editions were designed to be sold with or without the Prospect which was available separately. Sometime after 1668, when Roger Rea last issued the so-called 'miniature' Speed, England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland Described, he sold the plates to both versions of the atlas to Thomas Bassett and Richard Chiswell.

Condition

Excellent.  Fine, uncolored examples of the map have become difficult to find; most examples on the market in recent years have had weak printing impressions with later color added. 

Reference: Burden #455;