Boston Rare MapsSpecializing in rare, important and unusual American maps and prints
A very large American world map published in the 18th century, bearing an interesting connection to Ben Franklin and his Gulf Stream research. The map was drawn by Captain Thomas Truxtun (1755-1822), who had an illustrious naval career as a privateer during the Revolution, a well-traveled merchant captain during the post-war years, and finally a […]
![[Zion Besieged and Attacked, 1787]. [Philadelphia: William Poyntell, Jan. 1787.]](https://bostonraremaps.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/BRM4110-Zion-Besiegd-ca-1787_lowres-scaled-e1647800102567-150x150.jpg)
A large, fantastically-intricate and impossibly rare 1787 political cartoon featuring among others Benjamin Franklin and a talking owl, all reflecting ongoing controversy about the meaning of the American Revolution. On September 28, 1776 Pennsylvania ratified the most democractic of the early state Constitutions, providing for a unicameral legislature, elected annually; an elected, term-limited Executive Council; […]
An interesting chart of the Gulf Stream, based on Ben Franklin’s pioneering research. The map depicts the Gulf Stream issuing through the strait separating Cuba and Florida, flowing northeast along the coastline, then turning eastward and gradually dissipating. The second, larger flow, which follows a circular, clockwise path, is almost certainly a depiction of the […]
![James Alexander (mapmaker) / James Turner (engraver), MAP No. I. [removed from, but accompanied by:] A BILL IN THE Chancery of New-Jersey…] New York: Benjamin Franklin and James Parker, 1747.](https://bostonraremaps.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/BRM-Alexander_Turner-Map-No-I-1747_lowres-e1504204951333-150x150.jpg)
A scarce and lovely map of the American colonies, engraved by James Turner of Boston and published and sold by Ben Franklin. This impression was exhibited in the 2013-14 “Made in Boston” exhibition at the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library. Background This is one of three maps issued with A Bill […]
An interesting chart depicting the Gulf Stream and thermometric observations of the Atlantic made by American Jonathan Williams, Jr. Williams (1750-1815) was a grand-nephew of Benjamin Franklin and was his personal secretary during the latter’s service as American agent in England in the early 1770s and ambassador to France during the Revolution. He later served […]
A rare 18th-century world map by American naval hero Thomas Truxtun, featuring the course of the Gulf Stream and bearing an interesting connection to Ben Franklin. The map was drawn by Thomas Truxtun (1755-1822), who had an illustrious naval career as a privateer during the Revolution, well-traveled merchant captain during the post-war years, and commander […]