A New Map of North America, with the West India Islands. Divided according to the Preliminary Articles of Peace, Signed at Versailles, 20, Jan. 1783. wherein are particularly Distinguished the United States, and the Several Provinces, Governments & ca whi

This large and influential map extends to include all of then-known North America and the West Indies. It had a long and varied publishing history. Originally issued separately by Emanuel Bowen & John Gibson in 1755, it was periodically updated following the conclusion of the Seven Years’ War (the “French and Indian War”), in 1763, and the American Revolutionary War, in 1783. Between 1755 and 1798, the map went through numerous revisions and editions to document the expanding cartographic knowledge and changing political landscape of North America. Beginning in 1775, it was bound into some of the most influential American atlases of the era, including those issued by Jefferys, Faden, and Sayer & Bennett. Beginning in the late 1770s, the map was updated to include revisions compiled by Governor George Pownall, including information from Evans' and other indigenous sources.

This edition is dated “1786”, providing an extremely detailed view of the continent at the conclusion of the American Revolution. With outline hand color, the United States is shown with its 1783 peace treaty boundaries, and the British, French, and Spanish possessions are noted. In addition, some Caribbean islands are indicated as being Dutch, Danish or Swedish.

Among other details, the map identifies hundreds of settlements, forts, Indian villages, roads, trading paths, shipping routes, and mines and salt pits. It also displays numerous annotations referring to native tribes and historical events, including “Guanahani, Cat Island or St. Salvador: the First Land of all America discover’d by Columbus 1492”.

There are two interesting inset maps. The one to the upper left illustrates the ongoing search for a Northwest Passage, showing Baffin’s Bay and Hudson’s Bay with the fictional Lake de Fonte nearby. The one to the lower left shows “The Passage by Land to California, Discovered by Father Eusebius Kino[,] a Jesuit, between the Years 1698 and 1701, …” that proved that California was not an island.

To the upper right of the map is a four-line note about coastal responsibilities of the governments of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, plus a citation of Article III of the peace treaty, which details fishing rights. To the lower right is a large cartouche for scale of miles and map legend.

The large figurative title cartouche is highly decorative and features three Native Americans with their accoutrements, as well as three indigenous animals. It is a visually astounding piece of engraving and has been strengthened from previous issues, featuring fine crosshatching.

A visually striking copy of a spectacular and fascinating map.