A large collection of 70 MAPS OF THE AMERICAN COLONIES published in London in the three major magazines of the time: the ‘Gentleman’s Magazine’, the ‘London Magazine’ and the ‘Universal Magazine’. It is through these three journals that news of the events unfolding in North America was disseminated to the educated classes of Great Britain. Until the ‘Gentleman’s Magazine’ was founded by Edward Cave in 1731 there was no such wide-ranging publication, just specialized ones. There had been earlier attempts but in Cave this magazine had a talented businessman at its head. He developed an extensive distribution system that would involve the entire British Empire. Indeed, it is estimated that its circulation reached 15,000. In February 1747, it reported “our number is so large, that, tho’ we have, for greater dispatch, & c., two plates engraved, the whole work cannot be printed off and dry’d under a fortnight, or more”. The magazine would report on anything it felt its readers would be interested in from Latin to commodity prices. It carried the contributions of others most notably Samuel Johnson.

The ‘Gentleman’s Magazine’ (1731-1922) quickly set itself up as a Tory-based journal and the following year encouraged the founding of the ‘London Magazine’ (1732-85) in political opposition. John Hinton who was a successful bookseller of St. Paul’s Churchyard started up a further rival in the ‘Universal Magazine’ (1747-1815). He placed particular attention on quality of content, binding and production of the plates. His series included a few maps in which he felt the addition of colour helped demarcate regions, some examples are included in this collection. As competition erupted the magazines improved themselves most notably with the introduction of copper plate engravings of items in the journals. Amongst these images came the idea of introducing maps. Early on it was noticed that issuing folding maps was causing problems. In 1747 Cave wrote in the ‘Gentleman’s Magazine’ that “we contrived the copper plates as much as might be to avoid folding, which destroys them”. Indeed for us today that has often been the problem as they are often damaged or quite frankly missing altogether. This collection has been put together over several years and has consistently been upgraded in condition as and when the opportunity arose.

The period in which these maps were introduced just happens to be one of extreme interest to America. The ensuing few decades were filled with conflict and all of it is recorded in these Magazines. Many might think that these maps are of little significance but as with newspapers today they are often at the cutting edge of knowledge. The result of the French and Indian War was a resurgent Britain which was now an undisputed world power. France had begun the slippery slope to Revolution and Spain strength was a waning.

The first maps relating to America were general in cover but with the outbreak of the French and Indian War in 1754 became more specific in content. As might be expected they tended to reflect events. In 1747 the ‘Universal Magazine’ began publishing a complete series of English County maps to which its fierce rival the ‘Gentleman’s Magazine’ replied with a trail of vitriolic attacks. The ‘Universal Magazine’ chose a different tack and published its own series beginning in the same year. Indeed, it was this same ‘Universal Magazine’ which in 1779-81 published the only systematic coverage of the then United States in a series of 11 maps all at a uniform size. Delaware was included in that of Maryland and Connecticut and Rhode Island were similarly on the same map. Indeed they can be considered as one of the very first ‘atlases’ which systematically mapped the fledgling country. The earliest was the large ‘American Atlas’ of Thomas Jeffery’s which included several multi-folio sheet maps.

1740 – The population of the English colonies in America in this year is estimated to be nearly 900,000. In October 1739 Britain declared war on Spain in a conflict that would become known as the ‘War of Jenkins’s Ear’. It would be fought mainly in the Caribbean and in 1740 the ‘London Magazine’ published a map to illustrate the region.
1 – ‘A Chart of ye West-Indies or the Islands of America’ by Hermann Moll. Jolly (1990) Lond 8.

1747 – Britain did not formally declare war on France until 1744 and in North America the conflict would become known as the Third French and Indian War (1744-48). The main operation in the war was the seizure of Louisburg in 1745 from the French.
2 – July. ‘A Map of Royal or Cape Breton I.’. Thomas Kitchin. Jolly (1990) Lond 22. Kershaw 870.
3 – December. ‘A Map of the French Settlements in North America’ by Thomas Kitchin. Jolly (1990) (1990) Lond 28; McCorkle 747.1.

1749 –
4 – April. ‘Nova Scotia, Drawn from Surveys’. Thomas Kitchin. Jolly Lond 45; Kershaw 773; McCorkle 749.4.

1753 –
5 – August. ‘A Map of Philadelphia and Parts Adjacent, by N. Scull and G. Heap’. This important map was reissued in a different state in December 1777, see below. It is derived from the exceedingly rare folio plan printed in Philadelphia in June 1752. Jolly Gent 87; Sellers & Van Ee (1981) 1306; Snyder (1975) no. 16; Wheat & Brun (1978) 454 & 455.

1754 – The beginning of the fourth and most important French and Indian War which erupted in May, it would rage until 1763. It starts with conflicts over control of the Ohio River Valley at Fort Duquesne, now Pittsburgh. They and their Indian allies began evicting the English in the region. This region is regarded as part of Virginia and in 1753 sends a young officer to warn the French, his name is George Washington. He is politely rebuffed. Returning to Williamsburg on 16 January his account is printed and sent to London for a further edition to include a map. He is sent out again in the spring to protect a new palisade which he finds the French have already captured. They name it Fort Duquesne. 
6 – June. ‘A Map of the Western Parts of the Colony of Virginia’. Within weeks this map of Washington’s route is published. Indeed the map itself is WASHINGTON’S CARTOGRAPHY. Cumming (1974) 60; Jolly Lond 85; Sellers & Van Ee (1981) 1426.
7 – July. ‘A Map of the British American Plantations, Extending from Boston in New England to Georgia’. By Emanuel Bowen. A fine large scale map of the central east coast colonies. It details all of the frontier territory inland to the Mississippi River. Displays ‘Fort Taken by French’ and both Gist’s and Walker’s settlements. Issued before the Mitchell map of 1755. Cumming (1974) no. 272; Jolly Gent 89; McCorkle 754.1; Sellers & Van Ee no. 708.
8 – December. ‘An Accurate Map of the English Colonies in North America Bordering on the River Ohio’. Derived from the similarly entitled separately published Henry Overton broadside which it is assumed but not proven was issued a few weeks earlier. With accompanying text. Jolly Univ 41; McCorkle 754.3; Sellers & Van Ee 707.

1755 – In February Edward Braddock arrives with a British army. Washington is selected as his personal aide-de-camp. Braddock and Washington head west and are unsuccessful in recovering Fort Duquesne. They are ambushed July 1755 and Braddock is killed. For the third time Washington returns to Virginia after a failed mission. His efforts however are not unnoticed in August he is promoted to colonel and commander-in-chief of Virginia’s troops at twenty-three. In this year the ‘London Magazine’ issued three maps in July, August and September. The July issue announced that ‘we shall give two other maps of North America, which may be joined together and will make a compleat map of that part of the world’.
9 – July. ‘A Map of Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Maryland with Part of New Jersey, &c.’ Fort Duquesne is still shown as French referring to the 1754 campaign, it being too early to be aware of the death of Braddock. But the map is derived from the Mitchell published in the same year, a very early derivative. Cumming (1998) no. 294; Jolly Lond 95; Sellers & Van Ee no. 1381.
10 – August. ‘A Map of the British & French Plantations in North America’. Whereas the previous two maps bore their titles above and below the map this one has a decorative title cartouche which acts for the whole. Jolly Lond 96; Kershaw 351; McCorkle 755.28; Sellers & Van Ee 65.
11 – September. ‘A Map of the Five Great Lakes with Part of Pensilvania, New York, Canada and Hudsons Bay Territories &c.’ The third and final sheet. There is no lower right sheet as it would be of the Atlantic Ocean. Jolly Lond 97; Kershaw 350.
12 – November. ‘A New Chart of the Vast Atlantic Ocean; Exhibiting the Seat of War, both in Europe and America, Likewise the Trade Winds & Course of Sailing from One Continent to the other; with the Banks Shoals and Rocks: Drawn According to the Latest Discoveries …’ Emanuel Bowen. Sources referred to Southack 1731, Mosely 1733 & Wimble 1738. A key compares latitude’s etc. With Popple’s map of 1733. Jolly LOND-98.

1756 – The broad area of conflict is the border territory between French and British America – east of Lake Ontario and north of Albany. The French capture several important frontier posts under the command of the talented Montcalm.
13 – September. ‘A Map of the Eastern Part of the Province of New York; with Part of New Jersey, &c.’ By Thomas Kitchin. Trading paths and roads on the frontier are shown. An inset contains a plan of Fort Frederick at Crown Point captured by the British in 1755. Jolly Lond 109; McCorkle 756.7; Sellers & Van Ee no. 1038.
14 – December. ‘A Map of the Province of Pensilvania Drawn from the Best Authorities’. By Thomas Kitchin. Jolly Lond 112; Sellers & Van Ee no. 711.

1757 –
15 – August. ‘A Map of Maryland with the Delaware Counties and the Southern Part of New Jersey &c.’ Jolly Lond 122; Sellers & Van Ee no. 1411.

1758 – Montcalm wins a great victory at Fort Carillon in July, a strategically important position at Ticonderoga, between Lake George and Lake Champlain. He defends it against a much larger British force. The second half of 1758 brings the turning fortunes of the British. The first success is the capture of the powerful fort at Louisburg in July. In November the British finally capture Fort Duquesne. It is renamed Fort Pitt in honour of the secretary of state.
16 – April. ‘A Map of the Colonies of Connecticut and Rhode Island’. Thomas Kitchin. This is the FIRST PRINTED MAP of the colonies of CONNECTICUT AND RHODE ISLAND. The great Moses Park map was not printed until 1766. It probably used the Survey of Gardner and Kellock (1737). Jolly Lond 135; McCorkle 758.1; Sellers & Van Ee no. 805; Thompson (1940-42) no. 14.
17 – September. ‘A Map of New England, and Nova Scotia; with Part of New York, Canada, and New Britain & the Adjacent Islands of New Found Land Cape Breton &c.’ Within two months this map was issued to mark the capture of Louisburg. Jolly Lond 145; Kershaw 708; McCorkle 758.7; Sellers & Van Ee 80.

1759 – Britain takes the battle to the French as the momentum swings. Fort Ticonderoga falls in June, Fort Niagara in July, Quebec in September and a treaty is signed with the Cherokee Nation 26 December.
18 – April. ‘A Plan of Quebec, Metropolis of Canada’. Jolly Lond 164; Kershaw 1064; Sellers & Van Ee 600.
19 – September. ‘A New Chart of the River St. Lawrence from the Island of Anticosti to Lake Ontario’. Thomas Kitchin. Jolly Lond 174; Kershaw 643; Sellers & Van Ee 238.
20 – October. ‘A Map of the Island of Orleans with the Environs of Quebec’. Jolly Gent 136; Kershaw 1068.
21 – November. ‘A Plan of the River St. Lawrence, from the Falls of Montmorenci to Sillery; with the Operations of the Siege of Quebec’. Jolly Lond 178; Kershaw 1026.

1760 – The French in Canada retreat to Montreal which falls to the British in September 1760. The whole of French Canada is now British.
22 – February. ‘A New Map of the Cherokee Nation with the Names of the Towns & Rivers’. Thomas Kitchin. ‘From an Indian Draught’, shows east of the Mississippi River with numerous villages depicted along with the explorations of Colonel Paively and Kelly. With accompanying text describing Governor Lyttleton’s expedition. Cumming (1998) 327 ; Jolly Lond 183; Sellers & Van Ee 1387.
23 – October. ‘Plan of the Town & Fortifications of Montreal, or Ville Marie in Canada’. A fine detailed plan of Montreal. Jolly Lond 193; Kershaw 1096; Sellers & Van Ee 615.

1761 – Having defeated the French in North America Britain gained the territory west to the Mississippi River along with effective control of that mighty thoroughfare.
24 – February. ‘An Accurate Map of Canada, with the Adjacent Countries; Exhibiting the Late Seat of War between the English & French in those Parts’. By Richard Seale. In early wash colour. ‘Pitsburg’ is named, with accompanying text describing the colour key. Jolly Univ 98; Not in Kershaw; McCorkle 761.2.
25 – March. ‘A New Map of the River Mississipi from the Sea to Bayagoulas’. Centred on New Orleans. Jolly Lond 198.
26 – April. ‘Plan of New Orleans the Capital of Louisiana’. Jolly Lond 199; Sellers & Van Ee no. 1679.
27 – November. ‘A New Map of Virginia’. Thomas Kitchin. Derived from the Fry & Jefferson map of Virginia. It was at the time by far the most populous colony in America. Jolly Lond 205; Sellers & Van Ee 1436.

1762 –
28 – August. ‘A New Map of the Only Useful and Frequented Part of New Found Land’. Thomas Kitchin. Jolly Lond 215; Kershaw 527.
29 – September. ‘A New and Correct Map of the American Islands, Now Called the West Indies, with the Whole Coast of the Neighbouring Continent’. Thomas Kitchin. Jolly Lond 216.
30 – December. ‘An Accurate Map of the British Empire in Nth. America as Settled by the Preliminaries in 1762’. By John Gibson. A fine general map of the new British colonies in America, those recently acquired are shaded. An inset of the mouth of the Mississippi River. Jolly Gent 165; McCorkle 762.1; Sellers & Van Ee 92.

1763 – France cedes Canada formerly to Britain in the Treaty of Paris signed this year.
31 – February. ‘A New Map of North America from the Latest Discoveries. 1763’. Early wash colour highlighting the new territories. Published in response to that in the ‘Gentleman’s Magazine’ in December. Jolly Lond 222; Sellers & Van Ee 106.
32 – October. ‘The British Governments in Nth. America Laid down Agreeable to the Proclamation of Octr. 7. 1763’. John Gibson. Published before the end of the month. With each colonies boundaries clearly defined. An inset map of Bermuda. Fite & Freeman (1926) 55; Jolly Gent 170; McCorkle 763.3; Palmer (1983) 37; Sellers & Van Ee 110.
33 – November. ‘A Map of the New Governments, of East & West Florida’. John Gibson. A map of Florida acquired from Spain in the Treat of Paris signed the previous month. Inset of Pensacola. Jolly Gent 171; Cumming (1998) 336.

1765 – Interest turned to the new frontiers in the south and west.
34 – March. ‘A New and Accurate Map of East and West Florida’. Jolly Lond 243; Sellers & Van Ee 1620.
35 – April. ‘A New Map of North & South Carolina, & Georgia’. Thomas Kitchin. A map depicting the southern colonies extending west to the Mississippi River. Jolly Lond 244; Cumming (1998) 348; Sellers & Van Ee 1390.
36 – June. ‘Louisiana, as Formerly Claimed by France, Now Containing Part of British America to the East & Spanish America to the West of the Mississipi’. Thomas Kitchin. Jolly Lond 245; Lemmon, Magill & Wiese (2003) 39; Sellers & Van Ee 724.

1769 –
37 – November. ‘A Map of that Part of America where a Degree of Latitude was Measured for the Royal Society: By Cha. Mason, & Jere. Dixon’. This map reflects the interest in the initial findings of the border settlement later known as the Mason-Dixon line. Jolly Gent 199; Papenfuse & Coale (1982) p. 40.

1774 – Events were reaching a climax in Boston following the Boston Tea Party in December of the previous year. Late March the British close Boston harbour entirely in retaliation.
38 – April. ‘A Chart of the Coast of New England, from Beverly to Scituate Harbour, Including the Ports of Boston and Salem’. John Lodge. The map reflects the blockade of the town begun this month. Jolly Lond 304.
39 – May. ‘A New and Accurate Plan of the Town of Boston, in New England [on sheet with] A New Plan of Boston Harbor, from an Actual Survey’. Two maps on the same plate, again reflecting the blockade of the town. With accompanying text. Jolly Univ 172.

1775 – April sees the outbreak of hostilities at Lexington and Concord and June brings the battle at Bunker Hill.
40 – January. ‘A Plan of the Town and Chart of the Harbour of Boston Exhibiting a View of the Islands Castle Forts and Entrances into the Said Harbour’. Jolly Gent 232.
41 – June. ‘A Map of 100 Miles round Boston’. Published within two weeks of Bunker Hill which is already identified on the map! Jolly Gent 234.
42 – October. ‘A New and Correct Plan of the Town of Boston’. ‘Charles Town in Ruins’ following the Battle of Bunker Hill. Jolly Gent 239; Phillips (1901) p.149; Sellers & Van Ee 890.
43 – October. ‘A New and Accurate Map of the Present Seat of War in North America, from a Late Survey’. A fine map of southern New England depicting the routes of the ‘March of the Provincials’ following Lexington and Concord. With accompanying text. Jolly Univ 173; McCorkle 775.11; Nebenzahl (1975) 7; Phillips (1901) p. 585; Sellers & Van Ee 814.

1776 – British forced out of Boston in the spring. On 4 July congress adopts the Declaration of Independence from Britain. That same month the British returned occupying New York. Taking New Jersey after that, they pushed Washington’s forces into Pennsylvania, only to be surprised by an attack in December which saw Washington regain New Jersey.
44 – September. ‘A Map of the Country round Philadelphia Including Part of New Jersey New York Staten Island & Long Island’. A map covering the region in which the fall campaigns would take place. Jolly Gent 247; Phillips (1901) p. 699; Klein, C.M. G76.6; Sellers & Van Ee 1041.
45 – October. ‘Sketch of the Country Illustrating the Late Engagement in Long Island’. Guthorn (1972) 152-6; Jolly Gent 248; Phillips (1901) 362; Sellers & Van Ee 1150.
46 – October. ‘An Accurate Map of the Present Seat of War between Great-Britain and her Colonies in North America’. In lovely early wash colour with accompanying text. Jolly Univ 176; McCorkle 776.1; Sellers & Van Ee 135.
47 – November. ‘A Map of Connecticut and Rhode Island, with Long Island Sound, &c.’ Jolly Gent 249; Sellers & Van Ee 819; Thompson (1940-42) 25.
48 – November. ‘A Plan of the City and Environs of New York in North America’. A fabulous map of the city of New York now in British hands. The map is compiled from those of Montresor, 1766, and Ratzer, 1767, but with improvements. ‘Delaney’s New Square’ is here named and ‘New Buildings not Finished’ marked just to the east of the Pond. Bowry Lane is here marked ‘Road to King’s Bridge where the Rebels mean to make a Stand’. This is shown parallel to a new road not on either prior map stating ‘Road to Kepps Bay where the Kings Troops Landed’. With accompanying text. Jolly Univ 177; Nebenzahl (1975) 114; Sellers & Van Ee 1110.

1777 – The British invade from Canada to seal off New England and also take action against Philadelphia in August and September.
49 – June. ‘A New and Accurate Map of the Present Seat of War in North America, Comprehending New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pensylvania, New-York &c.’ This map depicts the region between the British controlled New York and the Continental Congress sitting in Philadelphia. With the accompanying text. Jolly Univ 178.
50 – December. ‘A Map of Philadelphia and Parts Adjacent, by N. Scull and G. Heap’. This important map is a reissue in a different state of that published in August 1753 and reflects British occupation of the city. It is derived from the exceedingly rare folio plan printed in Philadelphia in June 1752. Jolly Gent 256; Sellers & Van Ee 1306; Snyder (1975) no. 16; Wheat & Brun (1978) 454 & 455.

1778 – The British surrender at Saratoga in October 1777 was a big loss to the British and effectively ended the northern theatre of war. With the entry of France into the war Philadelphia is evacuated to strengthen its hold on New York.
51 – January. ‘Map of Hudson’s River, with the Adjacent Country’. Jolly Gent 257.
52 – February. ‘Part of the Counties of Charlotte and Albany, in the Province of New York; being the Seat of War between the King’s Forces under Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne and the Rebel Army’. Thomas Kitchin. A detailed map of the scene of battle from Albany to Ticonderoga. Jolly Lond 320; Sellers & Van Ee 1078.
53 – March. ‘The Southern Part of the Province of New York: With Part of the Adjoining Colonies’. Thomas Kitchin. This map extends from Albany to New York. Jolly Lond 321; Sellers & Van Ee 1098.
54 – April. ‘Map of New York I. with the Adjacent Rocks and other Remarkable Parts of Hell-Gate’. Thomas Kitchin. A superb map of Manhattan Island. Jolly Lond 322; Nebenzahl (1975) 115.
55 – November. ‘A Map of the Colony of Rhode Island: with the Adjacent Parts of Connecticut, Massachusets Bay. &c.’ Thomas Kitchin. This map still stubbornly referring to the Colony. Jolly Lond 327; McCorkle 778.4; Sellers & Van Ee 825.

1779 – Britain seeing the south as more sympathetic and with fewer troops to call upon launches a campaign. They take Savannah in December 1778 then move north to take Charleston.
56 – April. ‘A New and Accurate Map of the Province of Georgia in North America’. Issued to mark the recent success in Georgia. With the accompanying text. Jolly Univ 179; Sellers & Van Ee no. 1569.
57 – June. ‘A New and Accurate Map of the Province of South Carolina in North America’. With the accompanying text. Jolly Univ 180; Sellers & Van Ee no. 1523.
58 – October. ‘A New and Accurate Map of North Carolina in North America’. With the accompanying text. Jolly Univ 182; Sellers & Van Ee no. 1501.
59 – December. ‘A New and Accurate Map of the Province of Virginia, in North America’. With the accompanying text. Jolly Univ 183; Sellers & Van Ee no. 1444.

1780 – Clearly having begun issuing maps of the south relating to the campaign the Universal Magazine saw an opportunity to issue a systematic set of maps of the ‘colonies’.
60 – February. ‘A New Map of the Province of Maryland in North America’. With the accompanying text. Jolly Univ 184; Sellers & Van Ee 1412.
61 – April. ‘A New and Accurate Map of the Province of Pennsylvania in North America’. With the accompanying text. Jolly Univ 185; Sellers & Van Ee 1298.
62 – May. ‘A Map of Such Parts of Georgia and South Carolina as Tend to Illustrate the Progress and Operations of the British Army, &c.’ Thomas Kitchin. Jolly Lond 334.
63 – June. ‘A New and Accurate Map of New Jersey’. With the accompanying text. Jolly Univ 186; Sellers & Van Ee 1242.
64 – August. ‘An Accurate Map of New York in North America’. With the accompanying text. Jolly Univ 187; Sellers & Van Ee 1112.
65 – October. ‘A New and Accurate Map of Connecticut and Rhode Island’. With the accompanying text. Jolly Univ 189; Sellers & Van Ee 829; Thompson (1940-42) 29.
66 – December. ‘A New and Accurate Map of the Colony of Massachusets Bay’. With the accompanying text. Jolly Univ 190; McCorkle 780.12; Sellers & Van Ee 881.

1781 – The war ends at Yorktown in October.
67 – March. ‘An Accurate Map of New Hampshire in New England’. With the accompanying text. Jolly Univ 191; Cobb (1982) 57; Sellers & Van Ee 872.
68 – May. ‘A Map of the Province of West Florida’. Jolly Lond 341; Sellers & Van Ee 1652.
69 – May. ‘A Map of the Seat or War in the Southern Part of Virginia, North Carolina and Northern Part of South Carolina’. Thomas Kitchin. Jolly Lond 342.
70 – September. ‘A New and Accurate Map of Quebec and its Boundaries’. Jolly Univ 193; Kershaw 1013; McCorkle 781.8; Sellers & Van Ee 583.