Cary, John | A great cartographical rarity of the United States

Cary, John

An Accurate Map of the United States of America, with Part of the Surrounding Provinces agreeable to the Treaty of Paris 1783. By INo. Cary. London: Published by J. Cary, Map & Printseller, 6 August 1783

Engraved map, partially handcolored in outline; browned, a few patches of surface abrasion, mostly at right and lower margins, laid down on contemporary linen, bordered with blue linen and tacked to a stretcher.

Cary's Accurate Map of the United States is not only one of the best of the English "Treaty Maps," but it is also one of the earliest maps of the United States to be newly engraved for the purpose, rather than simply being adapted from an existing plate of the British possessions in North America. Cary depicts the Illinois Country, the Lake of the Woods, and Jonathan Carver's 1755 wintering camp among many western features. Cary also provides the first three Articles of the Treaty of Paris directly below the title cartouche, including George III's acknowledgment that the United States are "free, sovereign, and independent."

Very rare: while the map is found in a number of significant institutions, this is evidently the first copy to appear at auction since the Streeter sale in 1969.

REFERENCE:

Streeter sale 6:3779