A Map of the State of Pennsylvania

Case map, folding and dissected with original linen backing, in very good restored condition. Slipcase is not present. Bright outline color by county. The color appears to be roughly contemporary, but is almost certainly not original. This example has six counties (Union and Columbia out of Northumberland, Pike out of Wayne, Lebanon out of Dauphin, Lehigh out of Northampton and Schuylkill out of Northampton and Berks) whose names have been roughly inserted in manuscript in a style similar to the printed county names. Bradford County is named but not outlined in color. These counties have been outlined in color, indicating that the color was not original. However, all of these counties were established between 1810 and 1814 and Perry County, which was established in 1820 is not shown, indicating that these manuscript additions were made shortly after the map was printed. This is the smaller of Reading Howell's maps of Pennsylvania, which was first published in 1792 as a reduced version of his 4-sheet map of Pennsylvania. This is the only issue printed by Vallance. It was published in Philadelphia by Kimber & Conrad & Johnson & Warner. A fine copy of an important early American map. In addition to being the first and best American map of Pennsylvania of the 18th and early 19th century, it was the definitive map of the state until John Melish published his large map in 1822. See Ristow, p. 108 for a lengthier history of the Howell maps of Pennsylvania.…