A map of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut
DraftsmanDrawn by
John Gould Darby
(American, 1808 - 1881)
PrintmakerEngraved by
John Gould Darby
(American, 1808 - 1881)
PublisherPublished by
Lemuel Bingham
(American)
Date1840
MediumEngraving; black printer's ink and watercolor on paper, lined with linen
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 22 x 29 1/4in. (55.9 x 74.3cm)
Sheet (height x width): 24 1/4 x 30 1/2in. (61.6 x 77.5cm)
Mount (height x width): 24 1/2 x 30 1/2in. (62.2 x 77.5cm)
ClassificationsGraphics
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
Object number2012.312.150
DescriptionMap of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, with the state borders of Vermont and New Hampshire to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, and part of New York State to the west. The land is divided into counties, labeled and outlined broken solid lines and colored yellow, pink or blue; and towns, labeled and outlined in solid black lines. Physical features depicted include mountains, conveyed through hachure marks; rivers, which are labeled; and lakes, some of which are labeled. To the right of the map is a table listing the distances between various towns in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut and Boston, Providence, Hartford, New Haven and New York. Above the title text, the cartouche features the seals of the three states depicted; the Rhode Island and Connecticut seals also bear the states' mottos, "Hope," and "Qui transtulit sustinet," respectively. Above the Massachusetts seal is its state motto, "Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem." Below the seals are two cornucopias or horns of plenty.
Label TextBy 1840, lithography had become the predominant method for map production, replacing the older, more-labor intensive practice of engraving on copper or steel. Nevertheless, some experienced engravers like John Gould Darby continued to use the earlier technique. Not only was the technique used for making this map old-fashioned when it was issued; the content of the map was out-of-date as well. Many new towns were added to Connecticut during the 1820s, 1830s, and 1840s. The town of Madison, incorporated in 1826, is the latest Connecticut town to appear. No less that nine towns were incorporated between 1826 and 1840, when the map was published. This suggests that plate was actually engraved in the mid-1820s before lithography became commonplace and simply reprinted in 1840 without changes
LIke most maps of this period, this map was hand-colored using watercolors. However, while most such maps were neatly colored, often using stencils to assure that the colors were correctly and precisely placed, the coloring of this map is rather sloppy. County boundaries and state boundaries are equally emphasized, making it somewhat difficult to tell where one state ends and the begins.
NotesCartographic Note: Scale: 5 3/8 inches equals 40 milesLIke most maps of this period, this map was hand-colored using watercolors. However, while most such maps were neatly colored, often using stencils to assure that the colors were correctly and precisely placed, the coloring of this map is rather sloppy. County boundaries and state boundaries are equally emphasized, making it somewhat difficult to tell where one state ends and the begins.
Status
Not on view
Lucius Stebbins & Co.
1859
Object/Object