Boston Rare MapsSpecializing in rare, important and unusual American maps and prints
A carefully-executed, decorative and patriotic historical chart of the United States, likely executed by a New England schoolgirl. The chart is centered on a large circular panel with a “Historical Sketch” of American history from the end of the Revolution, flanked by the names of the Presidents from Adams to Jackson. Surrounding these are 28 […]
![Prepared jointly by all participating commands in conjunction with Interp[retation] [Squad]ron 2, ENEMY INSTALLATION MAP IWO JIMA VOLCANO ISLANDS. [Prob. Hawaii], Feb. 11, 1945.](https://bostonraremaps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/BRM3354-annotated-Iwo-Jima-1944_joined_lowres-e1571752130955-150x150.jpg)
A rare “Secret” map of Iwo Jima, issued little more than a week before the February 19, 1945 U.S. invasion. The map shows the American landing zone on the southern end of the island and the Japanese defensive installations in minute detail… at least as they were known to American forces before the landings. This […]
A unique archive of maps and plans tracing reflecting decades of real estate speculation and development in the village of Siasconset, on Nantucket’s southeast shore. Nantucket manuscript material is vanishingly rare on the market, and it would be impossible to reproduce such a grouping today. Background After decades of great prosperity mid-18thcentury Nantucket entered a […]
A lovely image of Boston Harbor’s historic Deer Island, probably produced in the early 18th century. Executed at a scale of roughly 230 feet to the inch, the survey depicts the island’s coastline with care, identifying Cedar and Sound Points by name. It also provides some information about the interior topography, including stands of trees and […]
An early manuscript plan of the Lower Falls area of the Charles River, showing numerous paper mills and other industrial development. Straddling both banks of the Charles River, the Lower Falls area includes parts of Newton and Wellesley (formerly Dedham, then Needham), Massachusetts. Here the river drops no less than 18 feet in a quarter mile, […]
A lovely and accomplished schoolboy map with delicately rendered patriotic imagery. In the 18th and 19th centuries map drawing was an important method of geographic education at the primary level, and “schoolboy” and “schoolgirl” maps are frequently encountered on the market. The great majority are unadorned and relatively pedestrian, but this example by George A. Knight […]
A remarkable and rare survival. This detailed manuscript township survey for Rhinebeck was prepared for use in the construction of the first official map of New York State. The importance of Thompson’s work for the mapping of the substantial town of Rhinebeck cannot be overestimated. It was the first general map of the township and the […]
![[ Battle of Shanghai ] F.J.B., SHANGHAI [:] Literally – “Above the Sea.” Shanghai, July 1937.](https://bostonraremaps.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/BRM3974-Shanghai-Literally-Above-the-Sea-1937_edited_lowres-150x150.jpg)
A fantastic hand-drawn bird’s-eye view of Shanghai and surroundings, probably sketched by an American on the scene during the summer of 1937, while the Battle of Shanghai was raging. In brief, the Battle of Shanghai was a major campaign early in the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). Hostilities began on August 13, with a pre-emptive Chinese […]
![[Anonymous plan for an apple orchard. New England, likely 2nd quarter of the 19th century.]](https://bostonraremaps.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/BRM3351-Orchard-recto-scaled-e1588779970217-150x150.jpg)
An early manuscript plan for an American apple orchard of 150 trees representing no fewer than 20 varieties. The varities include the relatively well known, such as Baldwins (22 trees) and New Town Pippins (9 trees) and some I’ve never heard of, such as “Blk Gilla Fleur” (Black Gilliflower) and Mattison Scarlet. All seem to […]
A unique surviving census of approximately two thirds of the African-American population residing in the Roanoke Freedmen’s Colony in 1864, giving much demographic detail on each individual recorded. Roanoke Island lies off the coast of North Carolina, between the mainland and the Outer Banks. Fortified by the Confederates at the beginning of the war, it […]