1757
Maker: Bellin
Black and white antique map of Chesapeake Bay and the surrounding area by Bellin from 1757. This map features Williamsburg, Virginia, Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland, and parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. This map was created before the Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783 that forced congress out of Philadelphia and caused the creation of Washington, DC. This map shows nothing where the heart of the city would be although it does show Alexandria, which President Washington specifically wanted to be inside the District of Columbia. President Washington chose the site for the city and the corner stones were laid down in 1791, 34 years after this map was produced. This map is also pre- Mason-Dixon line, which was created in the 1760s, meaning that Pennsylvania still had a lease for all of what is now Delaware and the heirs of William Penn and 2nd Baron Baltimore were likely still in their lengthy litigation. Very good overall antique condition with some minor stains on the right side through the cartouche and in New Jersey. Center vertical fold is deep but will flatten nicely. Tight margin on right side. Plate line is visible. Approx. 7.5 x 11.
Item Number: MAT133