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Pub Year	Map Maker	Pub Place	Map Title	Map Price (USD)	Picture
1839	Burr, David	New York	Map of Pennsylvania and New Jersey Exhibiting the Post Offices, Post Roads, Canals, Rail Roads, & c..	$12,500	Picture

An engraved, hand painted full color, and hand outlined case map

Size: 124 cm x 90 cm (49 inches x 36.5 inches)

Map Type: Case

Overall, this example is in excellent condition.

David H. Burr was only 26 when he became an engineer to the Great National Road being built across New York state in 1829. He accurately mapped the state, and soon thereafter undertook the mapping of several other eastern states. In 1832, he was appointed as the topographer to the U.S. Post Office. As such, he had access to a large volume of geographical data made available by the local postmasters around the country. Beginning in 1839, Burr used this information to compile a series of 12 large canvas backed maps of individual states and groups of states. He added a complete Map of the United States of North America, then combined them all into a beige canvas covered box (53x37) which opens like a book titled The American Atlas; Exhibiting the Post Offices, Post Roads, Rail Roads, Canals, and the Physical & Political divisions of the United States of North America, Constructed from the Government Surveys & Other Official Materials, Under the Direction of the Post Master General. He made arrangements with the John Arrowsmith firm of London to engrave and distribute the maps and the first edition was released in 1841, just before Arrowsmith was to release his own atlas. Burr's maps were also available separately, a valuable resource to post offices and travelers.

The original map paper was sectioned into eighths and mounted on linen so it could be folded for storage, or unfolded and used in sections.

Burr's "The American Atlas", has become a great rarity in 19th century cartography. This is map No. 9 from the first edition, a unique map from a renowned American cartographer and European engraver. The map was engraved by John Arrowsmith in London, and carries his name on the lower right corner. This piece is incredibly rare.

References:  A List of Geographical Atlases in the Library of Congress, 1379a-no.4, Phillips, P.L, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1909; Rumsey 104.004; American Maps and Mapmakers, chapter 13, Ristow, George, Wayne State University Press, Detroit, 1985