Although most of the Library's manuscript maps are parts of collections, there are almost one hundred individual manuscript maps which were catalogued and filed with the Library's collection of printed maps.
The item level descriptions in this finding aid came directly from
The APS large map collection contains numerous maps from early America.
Presented by John Robert Connelly, December 1964.
Annotated: "From the King's road near
See: John Robert Connelly, "Independent confirmation of the magnetic declination 1737-1738" (typescript, 2 pages, 1963).
Realms of Gold, 32 (1).
Note: This map is an 1854 copy of a 1752 map. Includes also the following counties: Lehigh, Schuylkill, Columbia, Carbon, Monroe, Pike, Luzerne, Wyoming, Bradford, Susquehanna, and Wayne. See: A. D. Chidsey, Jr.,
Realms of Gold, 32 (2).
[Middle Atlantic states, showing rivers and mountains and location of sea shells on the tops of the mountains].
Presented by Benjamin Franklin.
The great Apalachian Mountains, which run from York [Hudson] River back of these Colonies to the Bay of Mexico, show in many Places near the highest Parts of them, Strata Sea Shells, in some Places the marks of them are in the solid Rocks. 'Tis certainly theThe endorsement on the back reads, in Franklin's hand: "Mr. Bartram's Map very curious."Wreck of a World we live on! We have Specimens of those Sea shell Rocks broken off near the Tops of those Mountains, brought and deposited in our Library [the Library Company of Philadelphia] as Curiosities. If you have not seen the like, I'll send you a Piece. (The Papers of Benjamin Franklin [New Haven: Yale University Press: 1961], vol. 3, p. 169.)
Realms of Gold, 32 (3).
Realms of Gold, 32 (4).
From original in William L. Clements Library, 1940.
Realms of Gold, 32 (5).
Sketch of the action on the heights of Charles Town 17 June 1775, between his magestys troops under the command of M. General Howe & a large body of American rebel's.
Annotated: "The parts in red are corrections of the original by Maj. Gen. Dearborn."
The signature of J. V. N. Throop is on the map. Printed version is in the same folder.
Realms of Gold, 32 (6).
The sheet contains the following maps (No. 1 is not present):
"No. 2. From map of North America by Eman Brown, geog. to his majesty, 1775; in Jefferey's atlas of 1776."
"No. 3. Map of North America from d'Anville published by Sayer and others. London 1775; in Jefferey's atlas of 1776."
"No. 4. Map of the British empire by Samuel Dunn; published by Robert Sayer, 1774, London in Jefferey's atlas."
"No. 5. From a map of the British colonies in North America; engraved by William Faden, 1777."
Realms of Gold, 32 (7).
Reprinted from the originals in the Library of Congress for the Portolan Press by the Meriden Gravure Company, 1976.
In addition to Hills, the maps were created by cartographers: Grant, A. Sutherland, B. Morgan, A. Dennis, Rue, A. B. Dunhan, Taylor, Skinner, I. Williams, T. Milliadge and J. Fisher.
Realms of Gold, 32 (8).
[Plan of Yorktown, Virginia, depicting the armies when Cornwallis surrendered].
Presented by Richard Randolph, 7 October 1831.
The disposition of the troops and fleets are carefully delineated. This map was published in Philadelphia in 1782.
Realms of Gold, 32 (9).
Les deux parties française et espagnol de St. Domingue réduites en triangles, lieues marines carrées et carraux de cent pas sur cent d'après la carte gravée sur une plus grande échelle . . . Madrid. ROG 32(10).
Annotated: "Explication des base, perpendiculaire et surface de chaque triangle: Calcul des deux parties de St. Domingue et islots adjacents: Résultat en lieues marines carrées et en carrouse de cent pas carrés."
Realms of Gold, 32 (10).
Mapa de las cerc de Mexico que comprehende todos sus lugares y rios, las lagunos de Tescuco, Chalco, Xochimiles, Ste. Christobal Zumpago . . . ROG 32 (11)
This map contains the names of the lagoons, rivers, mountains, towns, etc.
Realms of Gold, 32 (11).
Realms of Gold, 32 (12).
This map contains far more settlements and better definition of streams than the 1751 map by Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson. The inset shows Alleganey ridge.
Realms of Gold, 32 (13).
The [state of] New Jersey according to the best authorities. ROG 32 (14)
A note in the folder reads: "Nota Bene. This map should be used with discretion for the following reasons. . . ." See also information furnished by Lewis M. Haupt, 16 March 1917 (typescript with the maps).
Realms of Gold, 32 (14).
Narváez was "Primer Pilato de la Marina Nacional."
Realms of Gold, 32 (15).
Annotated: "Los grados de Longitud y Latitud se han Pueste seguin el calculo de Baron de Homboldt."
Realms of Gold, 32 (16).
Realms of Gold, 32 (17).
Realms of Gold, 32 (18).
State of Massachusetts. Compiled from the best authorities
The American Philosophical Society
Wheat: 213.
See: M. Carey,
Realms of Gold, 32 (18a).
The state of Virginia from the best authorities. Engraved for Carey's edition of Guthrie's geography, improved, [1795]
Adapted from the map of Virginia in the general atlas for
The American Philosophical Society
Wheat: 568.
Realms of Gold, 32 (19).
Realms of Gold, 32 (20).
Map of the Tennassee government, formerly part of North Carolina. Taken chiefly from surveys by Gen. D. Smith & others.
Knoxville and Nashville are shown, as well as public roads, Indian boundaries, Indian towns, etc. The width of the river is in yards.
The American Philosophical Society
Realms of Gold, 32 (21).
A map of the Tennasee government, formerly part of North Carolina, taken chiefly from surveys by General D. Smith and others
See also an engraving of the above by "J.T. Scott, Sculp" that was "engraved for Carey's American edition of Guthrie's geography improved." There are numerous manuscript notations on this printed map.
The American Philosophical Society
Wheat: 650
Realms of Gold, 32 (21a).
Facsimile of an original manuscript.
Reproduced and copyrighted by the Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio: 1968.
Realms of Gold, 32 (22).
Presented by Mathew Carey, 18 October 1805.
The American Philosophical Society
Wheat: 448
Realms of Gold, 32 (23).
Presented by Mathew Carey, 18 October 1805.
The American Philosophical Society
Wheat: 250.
Realms of Gold, 32 (24).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Information about George de Bois St. Lys and the significance of these maps may be found in James E. McClellan,
Realms of Gold, 32 (25).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (26).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (27).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (28).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (29).
Realms of Gold, 32 (29a).
A map of part of Onondaga Lake, and its vicinity, in the state of New York. From actual survey
Realms of Gold, 32 (30).
Annotated: "Explanation: County towns, villages, forges and mills, houses, roads and portages, roads to be opened and improved on the straightest line practicable."
Northumberland and Allegany Counties occupy a disproportionately large area of the state.
Realms of Gold, 32 (31).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (32).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (33).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (34).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (35).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (36).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (37).
Plan de la baye, ville et forts de St. Yago dans l'isle de Cuba. Fait et réduit par G. J. Bois St. Lys.
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (38).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (39).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (40).
Plan de la ville de St. Marc dans l'isle de St. Domingue.
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (41).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (42).
Plan de la ville, des rades et des environs du Port au Prince dans l'isle de St. Domingue. ROG 32 (43)
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (43).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (44).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (45).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (46).
Plan de la ville et des environs de Jacmel, dans l'isle de Saint Domingue assiégée par le Général en chef Toussaint l'Overture et defendue par le Général André Rigaud revolté en 1800. Avec la position des troupes qui la bloquent et des batteries qui ont été dressées contre elle
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (47).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (48).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (49).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (50).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (51).
Plan d'une partie de la Plaine du Cap Français et de la côte, depuis la baye de l'Acul, jusques et après le bourg de la Petite Anse, dans l'isle de St. Domingue
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (52).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (53).
From original manuscript in the Library of Congress.
Realms of Gold, 32 (54).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (55).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (56).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (57).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (58).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (59).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (60).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (61).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (62).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (63).
This map was acquired with the purchase of a large collection of maps about St. Domingue and other Gulf of Mexico areas from Henry Schenk Tanner on 14 December 1835.
Realms of Gold, 32 (64).
Special map, representing Man of War Shoal, its distance and bearings from the island of St. Martins, conformable to the discovery of Captain Foulke, Esqr., commanding the British frigate, the Proselite, in the month of May 1801
Nicholas Collin delivered this map to the Society on 16 April 1802. Collin wrote that Fahlberg "presentes by me a special map of a lately discovered dangerous shoal...as an appendage to his map of it [St. Bartholomew], sometimes ago received by the Society; and expresses a solicitious desire that it may be published for the benefit of the many American vessels that trade to that part of the West Indies: believeing this execution the more necessary, as the very frigate in which the discovery was made, though then commanded by another captain, ran aground on that shoal." The members desired Secretary John Vaughan to write and see "if any account can be published" of this "Rock lately discovered south of S. Martins."
Presented by S. Fahlberg, 16 April 1802.
Realms of Gold, 32 (65).
A sketch of the Muscle Shoals of the Tennessee River. Laid down from a Scale of two Computed Miles to the Inch. The Width of the River being doubled.
Annotated: "N.B. The red dots mark the Canoe Track by which I descended. The black, note the deepest channel."
John Vaughan, secretary of the American Philosophical Society, was asked by the Members to get "some further account of it for publication" from the donor. Brown replied on 10 June 1802 that the map "of the Muscle Shoals which you did me the favor to present to the Society, was taken under the direction of Gen[era]l Wilkinson who transmitted it to a friend together with a short description which unluckily was attached to a private confidential letter, from which his correspondent would not even suffer me to make an extract. Gen[era]l Wilkinson will no doubt supply the deficiency on his arrival at Philadelphia."
Presented by Samuel Brown, April 1802.
Realms of Gold, 32 (66).
[Pennsylvania and neighboring states].
The endorsement on the back reads: "Found by me in a parcel of Plants collected by F. Pursh w[hi]ch made part of ye Lambert Herbarium, and was bought by me in London at the Lambert sale in 1842. Edward Tuckerman."
In 1807 Pursh kept a "Journal of a botanical excursion in the Northeastern parts of Pennsylvania and in the state of New York." The manuscript was found among the papers of his patron, Benjamin Smith Barton, in 1817. It has been published twice: first in Philadelphia in 1869, and then in 1923 for the Onondaga Historical Association, Syracuse, New York, with notes by William M. Beauchamp.
On 3 April 1868 Thomas P. James spoke of various properties of Pursh. He told how the map was drawn and used in the botanical expedition, and he spoke of the history of the map. Asa Gray, the famous botanist, owned it, and wished to present it to the American Philosophical Society and reunite it with the journal. "The Journal and map are now, after a separation of sixty years, united."
Presented by Asa Gray, 3 April 1868.
Realms of Gold, 32 (67).
Map of the country nine miles west of the city of Philadelphia, and between Darby Creek & Young's ford on the River Schuylkill. Surveyed by order of Gen. Jonathan Williams . . .of the sub-committee of defence.
Presented by Jonathan Williams, 3 February 1815.
Realms of Gold, 32 (68).
Presented by John Vaughan, 17 July 1815.
Realms of Gold, 32 (69).
Plano del puerto de Guaimas, situado en la costa de Sonora [Mexico] . . . levantado de orden del gobierno en 1819 . . . p[a]r defensa del puerto y puntos adjacentes à la costa . . .
The bay contains soundings.
Realms of Gold, 32 (70).
[Plano] de [Orizava] y Xalapa, en la parte que media des la sierra a la costa . . .
Annotated: "Copiado por Santiago Wilkinson en Mexico."
Projected route from Vera Cruz with distances to Orizaba, Xalapa, etc.
Realms of Gold, 32 (71).
Presented by Juan J. Martinez, 7 December 1832.
Realms of Gold, 32 (72).
Contains topographical view and vertical section.
Realms of Gold, 32 (73).
Lac Supérieur & autres lieux ou sont les missions des péres de la compagnie de Iesus comprises sous le nom d'Ovtaovacs.
Annotated: "Facsimile d'une carte attachée à un des volumes des lettres edifiantes pour le Canada dont les Jesuites publierent plus de 40 volumes de 1611 à 1678." (
A note reads: "rough fac smilie-this and the Scutcheon above are Well drawned and Engraven."
Realms of Gold, 32 (74).
Surveyed at the request of William Audenried, Esquire, during the month of June 1831.
Realms of Gold, 32 (75).
[Susquehanna, Schuylkill and little Schuylkill rivers, in Pennsylvania].
Annotated: "A copy of a Christian Brobst traycing [and] Cattawissa," and, "W[illia]m J. Duane has the original."
Realms of Gold, 32 (77).
The route of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad is shown from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh.
Realms of Gold, 32 (78).
A member of the American Philosophical Society, Kane spoke on 16 November 1855 of various geographical features of the Arctic regions he had seen and displayed his map of the area. He spoke of the progress of the expedition and the difficulties encountered. On 7 December 1855 he exhibited two charts showing his corrections and the new features described on them. These may be the charts Kane displayed and spoke about. See: American Philosophical Society
Realms of Gold, 32 (79).
Also includes a printed copy.
Realms of Gold, 32 (80).
Cumberland & Frobisher Sts. from a drawing by an Eskimo in 1856 given to Capt. Salter of the Clara of Peterhead.
See the description of the Boas map in Realms of Gold, No. 6.
Realms of Gold, 32 (81).
Originals in General Land Office Records, Abandoned Military Reservation Series, Fort Vancouver, Washington. Box 100, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
Includes photograph of so-called "Covington Map." (Original in Hudson's Bay Company Archives, London, 1846.)
Includes also photographs from other sources.
Realms of Gold, 32 (82).
Realms of Gold, 32 (83).
Section of the lake, river and canal navigation from Lake Superior to the Gulf of the St. Lawrence.
With this is a water color painting of "Sketch from the Mountain of Montreal shewing part of the plain extending south east and southwards to the Green Mountain Range in eastern townships of Canada and Vermont and the Adirondack Mountain regions of New York. To illustrate Mr. Blackwell's paper on the basin of the St. Lawrence." See: American Philosophical Society
Realms of Gold, 32 (84).
Niantilic Harbor is on Baffin Bay, Cumberland Sound. The
Realms of Gold, 6 (1), 32 (85).
Realms of Gold, 32 (86).
See: N. F. Drake, "A geologial reconnaissance of the coal fields of the Indian territory." American Philosophical Society
Realms of Gold, 32 (87).
This is an enlargement made by Sword of a portion of a map. See: Fridtjof Nansen,
Realms of Gold, 32 (88).
Prepared for the program committee [of the 250th anniversary], Albert Cook Myers, chairman.
Presented by Albert Cook Myers, 28 March 1935.
Realms of Gold, 32 (89).
Realms of Gold, 32 (90).
Roanoke Island is shown, as is Edenton, Hallifax (sic), and the Virginia line.
Realms of Gold, 32 (91).
This appears to have been adapted directly from the map published in London by Laurie and Whittle in 1794. The identity of the cartographer is an educated guess.
Realms of Gold, 32 (92).
These are printed maps with heavy manuscript markings indicating air (?) currents and observations drawn and crudely colored. Antarctica is also drawn on each map.
The maps were printed in London by "Jas Wyld," and "J. Wyld and Son, Charing Cross East 1836." (One map has no publication date on it.)
Realms of Gold, 32 (93).
Realms of Gold, 32 (94).
This is on the reverse of C. G. Childs' "Plan of Keim's addition to Port Clinton" (Realms of Gold, 986).
Realms of Gold, 32 (95).
Photostats of manuscript maps at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Realms of Gold, 32 (96).
[Shwemyo district, central Burma. Lat. 20B0 3', long. 96B0 14"].
Four lines in Burmese in the lower left-hand corner are the key to the colors used in the map. Note on back in Burmese identifies location as Shwemyo district. See letters from E. W. Burlingame and Cecil Hobbs to the American Philosophical Society, June 1914 and 27 January 1961.
Realms of Gold, 32 (97).
Tabula novae Franciae
Copied from François Du Creux,
A note by P. J. Robinson states that this map deserves study and is of special value on account of the inset map of the Huron country, the improved outline of the lakes, especially Lake Ontario, and Georgian Bay, the marking of the trails to the Hudson Bay and of the new route discovered by the Groseilliers and Radisson from Lake Nipigon.
Realms of Gold, 32 (98).