Attacks of Fort Washington by His Majesty's Forces under The Command of General. Sir William Howe KB...Lith for D T Valentines Manual for 1861 by Geo. Hayward 171 Pearl St New York
Cartographer : - Valentine, David Thomas 1801 - 1869
- Date: - 1861
- Size: - 25in x 18 1/2in (585mm x 470mm)
- Ref#: - 93166
- Condition: - (B) Fair Condition
Description:
This original hand coloured lithograph antique map, a reproduction of the famous Revolutionary map of 1776, was bound into David T. Valentine's 1861 edition of Manual of the Common Council of the City of New York
The map is oriented with north to the right. Hachures show relief, and military units are depicted in red and blue. The map was said to have been copied from an original map kindly loaned to the compiler by Mr. A. Suart.
General Definitions:
Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy and stable
Paper color : - off white
Age of map color: - Original
Colors used: - Yellow, green, blue, pink
General color appearance: - Authentic
Paper size: - 25in x 18 1/2in (585mm x 470mm)
Plate size: - 25in x 18 1/2in (585mm x 470mm)
Margins: - Min 1/2in (10mm)
Imperfections:
Margins: - Age toning, folds as issued
Plate area: - Folds as issued, old tape mark and some loss to the top middle fold
Verso: - Folds as issued
On 16 November 1776, the Hessian General Wilhelm von Knyphausen and his army of of 8,000 German mercenaries and British regulars attacked Fort Washington (now the location of Bennet Park at the intersection of Fort Washington Avenue and 183rd Street) making use of information provided by the first American traitor, William Demont, the fort's adjutant. Although the fort's defenders were initially able to provide stiff resistance, they were eventually outflanked, and the the 3,000 man garrison was captured. The Americans were then imprisoned within British prison ships anchored in New York Harbor where a great many died of starvation and disease. John and Margaret Corbin were both casualties of the battle. John was an artilleryman who was killed in the midst of the fight. When he fell, his wife Margaret (Molly), who had accompanied him as a camp follower, took his place at the cannon and continued to clean, load, and fire the gun until she was severely wounded in the left arm. Three years later, Captain Molly, who had lost the use of her arm, became the first woman to receive a military penison from the United States.
As the Clerk of the Common Council of New York City, Valentine edited and published a series of books on the history and contemporary facts of New York City entitled Manual of the Corporation Of The City of New York. They became know as Valentines Manuals with updates published annually, between 1841 & 1870. Valentine used his manuals to produce some of the rarest and most important maps & views of the city of New York, some of which occasionally appear on the market. His contribution to the historical record of New York city cannot be over stated.
What is an Antique Map
The word Antique in the traditional sense refers to an item that is more than a hundred years old. In the past maps were sold in two forms, as a single sheet (broadsheet) or bound in an atlas or book. The majority of antique maps for sale today come from books or atlases and have survived due to the protection offered by the hardback covers.
The first thing to determine when staring a collection or purchasing an item, is what is important to you. Most collectors prefer to build their collections around a theme. You may decide to collect maps from one region or country, charting its development through time. Similarly you could collect maps of one particular period in time, by type (i.e. sea or celestial charts) or by cartographer. The collector might also want to consider the theme of cartographical misconceptions such as California as an island or Australia as Terra Australis or the Great Southern Land.
The subject is so wide that any would-be-collector has almost endless possibilities to find his own little niche within the field, and thereby build a rewarding collection.
Pricing is based on a number of different factors, the most important of which is regional. In any series of maps the most valuable are usually the World Map and the America/North America. The World because it is usually the most decorative and America because it has the strongest regional market. Other factors that come into play re: price is rarity, age, size, historical importance, decorative value (colour) and overall condition and quality of paper it is printed on.
As specialised dealers, we frequently work with first time map buyers who are just starting their collection. Guiding new collectors on their first antique map purchase and helping new collectors to focus their interests is one of the most rewarding aspects of being an rare map dealer. So please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help with any questions you may have.
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Classical Images was founded 1998 and has built an excellent reputation for supplying high quality original antiquarian maps, historical atlases, antique books and prints. We carry an extensive inventory of antiquarian collectibles from the 15th to 19th century. Our collection typically includes rare books and decorative antique maps and prints by renowned cartographers, authors and engravers. Specific items not listed may be sourced on request.
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