Map 26
“British American Plantations” 1754 Keystone Map in George Washington’s career!
“A Map of the British American Plantations, extending from Boston in New England to Georgia including all the back settlements in the respective Provinces: as far as the Mississippi. By Eman: Bowen Geog. to His Majesty.” July 1754
Special Features:
This great historic map documents the first military exploits of the father of our country, George Washington! [See text below and Photos #6 to #10, above.]
George Washington was a pivotal figure in the French and Indian War from the earliest days. For Washington the French and Indian War started in late 1753, when he was selected as the British emissary to the French frontier establishment. It ended with the fall of Fort Duquesne to the combined British and colonial forces. He was a young and ambitious man when he volunteered. His actions--which reflected his lack of experience--and his ambitions helped determine the course of the war.
George Washington was only22 years old at this time!
Splendid little Colonial map covering the area east of the Mississippi River from Niagara Falls to Port Royal, SC.
It shows major towns and cities, Indian villages and tribal territory, English and French forts, boundaries, trails and topography.
The Lead mine,
References: Cumming (SE) #272; Jolly GENT-89; McCorkle #754-1; Sellers & Van Ee #708.
(Some of the above plus:)
“Gorgeous example of Bowen's desirable map, issued in the year prior to the seminal map of John Mitchell, and based largely upon the work of D'Anville.
The map is quite remarkable for the time period, showing several early Western Roads and numerous English and French forts east of the Alleghany and Appalachian Mountains, in the regions that would become the focal point of the French & Indian War.
Many Indian Tribes are located, along with over a dozen English and French Forts.
“The Gist Settlement of Christopher Gist is shown, as is Walker's Settlement of 1750 on the Cumberland River. A number of other interesting notes and locations.”
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Guest Editor:
I, Harald Leuba, am listing this map on eBay with the permission of the eBay account holder, my wife of 56 years, Nancy Kingsbury, aka "Showjudge". She is worried about how to find homes for our "stuff" when I die -- > if I die before her.
We have enjoyed living with this map in our collection, but as I age, (I am now 87), I feel that I ought to protect IT from becoming lost in some 2nd hand store and, more importantly, I need to protect Nancy from having to cope with how to harvest its reasonable value in a time of personal stress.
[In other words: We are downsizing!]
......
I bought this map from John Faupel, Antique Atlas, East Grinstead, UK some 35 years ago. It was his # 266 in catalog 86.
I have misplaced John's catalog.
However: (a) John titled it:
Bowen “A Map of the British American Plantations …, London 1754.
And it says on the Map: “A Map of the British American Plantations extending from Boston in New England to Georgia including all the back settlements in the respective Provinces: as far as the Mississippi. By Eman: Bowen Geog to His Majesty. London July 1754
And (b) If I put all of that, without quote marks,
Into Google:
There are 50,700 hits!
The first hit is the Library of Congress (See the free download: My Photo # 11.)
About this Item
Title
Other Title
Names
Created / Published
Headings
Genre
Notes
>>>>
Cornell University has a copy of this map (colored) [See my Photo # 12 above.]
While Cornell provides the same identification details as the Library of Congress,
They also offer an historic insight into the map’s context:
Title:
A Map of the British American Plantations, extending from Boston in New England to Georgia; including all the back Settlements in the respective Provinces, as far as the Mississipi [sic]
Alternate Title:
A Map of the British American Plantations
Collection:
Persuasive Maps: PJ Mode Collection
Creator:
Other Creators:
Date:
Posted Date:
ID Number:
2247.01
File Name:
PJM_2247_01.jpg
Style/Period:
Before 1800
Subject:
Other War & Peace
Deception/Distortion
Imperialism
Politics & Government
Measurement:
22 x 28 (centimeters, height x width)
Notes:
“In the years before and during the French and Indian War, "tensions over dominance in North America flared as British and French cartographers each claimed large, overlapping territories for their respective colonies on the continent." Brown 2015, 7.
“The results of this cartographic competition include a number of the most remarkable maps in American history, from Guillaume Delisle's landmark 1718 "Carte de la Louisiane et du Cours du Mississipi" on the French side to the iconic 1755 "Map of the British and French Dominions in North America" by the Englishman John Mitchell. Clark 2005, 192-97. See generally Schwartz 1980, 142-164.
“The Collection includes two dramatically conflicting examples from this famous "war of the maps," both produced in 1754, at the very outset of open war: Emanuel Bowen's "Map of the British American Plantations," ID #2247, and Jean Palairet's, "Carte de l'Amerique Septentrionale 1754," ID #2248.
“The map of the "British American Plantations" was produced by Emanuel Bowen, "Geographer to His Majesty," George II, and engraved by his son, Thomas Bowen. See French 1999, 176. It was published in The Gentleman's Magazine of London in July 1754. Jolly #47. The map makes it clear that the claims of the Crown's colonies (here, "Plantations") extend to essentially all the land east of the Mississippi. Included within the British claims are six places explicitly labeled as the sites of a "French Fort," including two as far west as modern Illinois and Missouri. It is possible that these forts were shown simply in recognition of the facts on the ground, but it may also have been an intentional signal of the British willingness to confront the French.
“What makes this map unusual, if not unique, is the orientation of the western and northern boundaries of the British colonies. The borders of New England, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania extend essentially due north, ending only at the frame of the map and apparently extending into modern Canada. Maryland reaches northwest to the shores of Lake Erie. Virginia and North Carolina extend northwest to a point well beyond the Ohio and the Wabash, and the borders of South Carolina and Georgia angle more to the west, ending at the Mississippi.
“The geography of Bowen's "British American Plantations" was short-lived, superseded in early 1755 by the publication of the Mitchell map, "the most important map in the history of American cartography."
“The Mitchell map set forth British territorial claims in North America very differently, with the borders of Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia extending on parallels of latitude west to the Mississippi and beyond, to the western frame of the map.
“Because of its detail and size, the Mitchell map quickly became the definitive statement of British claims in North America, to the point that it served as the principal basis for delineating the borders of the newly independent United States of America at the Treaty of Paris in 1783.”
For further information on the Collector’s Notes and a Feedback/Contact Link, see XXX
Source:
The Gentleman's Magazine, London, July 1754.
Repository:
Format:
Image
Rights:
For important information about copyright and use see: XXX
>>>>>
Charlton Hall sold a copy of this map last month, 2/10/2023; Lot 57 “Rare Map: British AmericanPlantations, Bowen, Estimate $200-$300 Sold for $1,000 (including Buyer’s Premium). [See Photo #13 Above.]
Additional Details:
Description:
**Rare Map: British American Plantations, Bowen published London 1754, by Emanuel & Thomas Bowen (1693-1767 & 1717-1767) "A Map of the British American Plantations extending from Boston in New England to Georgia; including all the back settlements" from Gentlemen's Magazine, uncolored engraving on laid paper, sheet H9 1/4" W11 1/2"
Provenance: Musgrove Mill, Spartanburg, 24 Jun 1975
Dr. & Mrs. C.G. Hopper, Jr. Collection
Literature: Southeast in Early Maps, 272
Other Notes: Accompanied by original bill of sale and correspondence.
Condition:
· Reduced and mended. Two center creases. Left margin is frayed and partially missing.
>>>>
HERITAGE AUCTIONS sold a copy of this map on Oct 13, 2006.
“Early 1754 Map of The American Plantations Commissioned By King George One Page, 11"x 9", 1754. "A Map of the British American Plantations extending from Boston in New England to Georgia; Including all the back settlements in the respective Providences as far as the Mississippi By Eman: Bowen Geogr: to His Majesty."
“A beautiful and detailed map outlining the 13 original colonies as well as the French territory and forts including The Great Lake Region, St. Louis, Illinois, the Ohio Valley and it's western reaches. French boundaries and trade routes are colored in red and the eastern seaport of America is tinted in pale green. An outstanding piece of Colonial Americana. Minor tape mounts on verso. Fine.
My comment:
And HERITAGE then tells the whole story:
“This July 1754 issue of Gentleman's Magazine and its extraordinary copper plate map documents the exploits of a young Major George Washington.
“The magazine records George Washington's first and second military adventures in an article entitled, "Some account of the Encroachments made by the French on the British Settlements in America" and the wonderful fold-out map is provided to illustrate the adventure and the British and French settlements in North America before the commencement of the French and Indian War. This historic issue of Gentleman's Magazine, of which Washington was a subscriber, is very rare as a complete issue with the map and plates intact.
“Washington was first sent by the British governor Dinwiddie of Virginia on an expedition to demand that the French withdraw their forces from the banks of the Ohio river "which they were persisting to fortify, and also to engage the six nations to continue firm in their attachment to England." The article notes that Washington's first military mission was unsuccessful because "the French having refused to depart, and the Indians being found wavering, orders were soon after received from England to repel force with force, and not only to prevent them from building forts on the Ohio, but to drive them from all the settlement which they have made contrary to treaty.."
“The article then describes Washington's next critical mission which involved the first shots fired and people killed in what would become the French and Indian War. The British attempted to establish a fort on what is today Pittsburg and they were driven from the fort by a superior French force, at which point the garrison's commander met up with Washington:
"Soon after he met, first with the forces that had been ordered from Alexandria to reinforce him, and then with 150 men, under the command of liet. col. Washington, but not being strong enough to hazard a battle, they entrenched themselves at Redstone creek, distant about 7 miles from the fort which had been abandoned.
“The camp, however, was at length formed, and four or five wagons with provisions having been dispatched for its support, the French gained intelligence of them, and detach'd a party of 35 men to intercept them; but Captain [George] Washington immediately marched with 45 men to sustain them, and a skirmish ensured, in which all the French were either killed or taken prisoners, except 3, who were afterwards intercepted and scalped by the Indians."
“This battle between the French and the detachment led by Washington became very controversial, a point not known at the time the article was written, because a French ambassador was killed and the French claimed there was no hostile intent when they were attacked by Washington. One person did escape and returned to Pittsburg (Fort Duquesne) and his account of Washington's action aroused the French public and led to a military expedition against Washington. At the subsequent battle at Fort Necessity Washington was forced to surrender and he signed a surrender document stating that he "assassinated" the French ambassador in the earlier skirmish. A modern account of Washington's adventures in 1753-1754 is provided by the National Park Service's Fort Necessity battlefield web site at http://www.nps.gov/fone/jumglen.htm
“The picture below shows the text of the article and the fold-out map inserted in the middle of the article about Washington's exploits. [See My Photo #8 above.]
>>>>
Barry Lawrence Ruderman, Antique Maps, Inc. has a nicely colored copy of this map for sale now! [See my Photo #14 above for a copy of the BLR free
Gentleman’s Magazine Title
A Map of the British American Plantations extending from Boston in New England to Georgia; including all the back Settlements in the respective Provinces…
Publication Place / Date London / 1754
Image Dimensions 11 x 9 inches
Color Hand Colored
Condition VG+
Description:
“Gorgeous example of Bowen's desirable map, issued in the year prior to the seminal map of John Mitchell, and based largely upon the work of D'Anville. The map is quite remarkable for the time period, showing several early Western Roads and numerous English and French forts east of the Alleghany and Appalachian Mountains, in the regions that would become the focal point of the French & Indian War. Many Indian Tribes are located, along with over a dozen English and French Forts. The Gist Settlement of Christopher Gist is shown, as is Walker's Settlement of 1750 on the Cumberland River. A number of other interesting notes and locations.
>>>
My Comment:
Having verified the identity of the map we are seeking a home for, let us move on to Fair Market Value:
Try to find one for sale now. I can’t!
This is a scarce map!
It is also far more significant in an American Map collection than most dealers have noted.
As far as I can tell, Google can find only two genuine original antique copies: (a) the colored version currently listed by BLR (op cit) and (b) our copy here on eBay, uncolored – as issued.
Our Map’s Image is Fine; bright, clean and unstained, free of stray marks.
The Map has full the margins.
Our Map is uncolored – as issued.
We have cared for this map by holding it flat in an Archive Binder with Acid free Plastic sleeves.
If you are interested enough in maps to be considering buying an Original, you know that the plates for antique maps were often reused/reprinted/recycled/revised and that there are many different (related) versions available today. You will also know that maps were not usually stand-alone images. They appeared in bibles, histories, and even in atlase! But you can be sure that this map appeared ONLY in the Gentleman's Magazine!
If you just want the “image” to frame and enjoy: buy a reprint.
If you like the idea of a “genuine antique map”, think about your choices.
Condition, color, state.
…
Last October, Barry Ruderman came to our house to look at our maps with a view to his acquiring the whole collection. He was warmly professional and lived up to his reputation for expertise. He said that our maps had been well cared for and were in unusually good condition.
If you want this map in your collection, decide if you want it colored or uncolored.
Buy it Now or make an offer.
.....
Please help us find a new home for this treasure.
Thank you for looking.
Harald & Nancy
P.S. Inflation? NO! When I bought my first map, there was silver in our US coinage. When I was in college, I could buy a gallon of gas for a silver quarter and mail a letter home for 4ç.
Today I can buy 1.33 gallons gas for the value of that silver quarter, and postage home is now 60ç.
Antique maps have doubled in price in the last ten years. Are they a store of value?
I think so, but whether they are or not, they can be a permanent source of pleasure.
P.P.S We are using the proceeds of this sale, not to add “dollars” to our bank account, but to support a local charity helping neighbors who have lost income due to Covid.
We hope you will find pleasure in owning this map if you buy it and have warm feelings about helping others – if you buy it from us.
A Map of the British American Plantations, extending from Boston in New England to Georgia including all the back settlements in the respective Provinces: as far as the Mississippi. By Eman: Bowen Geog to His Majesty. London July 1754