- Title: Map of Florida
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Author: Thomas Cowperthwait & Co.
- Date: 1850
- Condition: Excellent - age related toning
- Inches: 11 5/8 x 14 1/2 [Image]
- Centimeters: 29.52 x 36.83 [Image]
- Product ID: 308434
This highly detailed map captures Florida just five years after it achieved statehood. The map depicts a largely undeveloped peninsula, with counties clearly delineated and only a handful of sizable settlements. Insets provide focused plans of Pensacola, Tallahassee, and the harbor of St. Augustine, offering additional insight into these early centers of activity. Transportation infrastructure is carefully noted, with canals, two short stretches of railroad, and principal roads identified in the legend.
However, while the map was intended to include overland mileage between towns, this information is absent—likely reflecting the limited data available at the time. To supplement the sparse road network, panels along the margins list key water routes as practical alternatives for travel. The map also highlights military routes from the Seminole War and marks fortifications and battle sites, providing a comprehensive snapshot of Florida’s early geography and development.
Background on Creator
Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co. was a prominent American publishing firm based in Philadelphia, established in 1838 when Joseph M. Thomas and Joseph T. Billburn joined Hulings Cowperthwait (1801–1873). Initially specializing in schoolbooks, the company became well known for its educational publications. During the early to mid-19th century, Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co. expanded into the field of atlas and map publishing, becoming an important part of the flourishing American map trade of that era.
The firm is particularly noted for acquiring and publishing Tanner’s New Universal Atlas, a major cartographic work that they obtained from S. Augustus Mitchell in 1850. Their atlases and maps, produced throughout the 1840s and 1850s, are recognized for their detailed cartography and wide distribution, often featuring state and regional maps with information on canals, roads, and distances. The company operated from various Philadelphia addresses, including 253 Market Street.