c 1857 FLORIDA - Morse & Gaston

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“FLORIDA” New York: Charles W. Morse and Samuel N. Gaston, 1857.  (Image: 6 ½ x 5). Wax-engraved map, with original hand color from The Diamond Atlas.

This map depicts the new state of Florida (admitted 1845) with counties named and in contrasting colors. Topographical features are shown, and major cities, towns and swamps are located.  Also noted are “Indian Hunt Grounds” along the southern tip, and several battle sites such as “Dade's Battle”. 

The inset depicts the ''South Part of Florida''.   The Arredondo Grant - given by the King of Spain to the powerful Spanish merchant Arrendondo is shown in Alachua county. With incredible difficulty and protest, the land grants were eventually dissolved after Florida gained statehood. This map is very detailed for its miniature size (60 miles per inch).

The wax-engraving method was developed by Sidney E. Morse (brother of Samuel F. B. Morse - inventor of the telegraph).  Wax engraving was “a major techno-logical breakthrough that greatly influenced American commercial map and atlas production in the U.S.” (Schwartz: Mapping of America, p. 265). This map is an early example of the process.

Shipped in archival 12x11'' mat

  • Inventory# M-12907
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