1835 Map of the Country Twenty Five Miles Round the City of New York
By: David H. Burr
Date: 1835 (Published) New York
Dimensions: 13.25 x 11.25 inches (33.7 cm x 28.6 cm)
This interesting map depicts the city of New York and twenty five miles of the territory surrounding it. The map shows roads, rivers, towns, islands, shoals and creeks, along with many other topographical details, including some coastal features. It covers the areas of Kings and Queens County, Westchester County, Manhattan, Monmouth, Middlesex, Essex, Morris and Bergen counties in New Jersey.
Burr is regarded as one of the first truly American cartographers and map publishers. In early adulthood, he studied law and was admitted to the New York bar. He did not continue in his chosen profession for long, and soon joined the New York State Militia. Despite his lack of training in the field of surveying, he was assigned to work under the Surveyor General of New York, Simion de Witt, to survey for New York railways. Burr recognized the opportunity afforded him, and negotiated with the governor of the state in order to obtain permission to copy other earlier surveys in order to compile a map of New York. The government of the state endorsed and financed Burr’s efforts, which ultimately resulted in this map of New York and an atlas of the state.
In the 1830s he served as topographer for the US Post Office, producing a series of rare and highly sought after large format state maps. Following this work he became Geographer of the House of Representatives, where he served during the latter part of the 1830s.
Condition: This map is in B+ condition with even toning and original coloring.
Inventory #10910
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