Rare Circular Map of New York by Eddy

"Map of the Country Thirty Miles Round the City of New York", Eddy, John H.

This is a very rare and unusual map of New York City and the surrounding region, depicted as a circle extending 30 miles in all directions from lower Manhattan. The map includes extensive information on counties, towns, roads, canals, railroads, lighthouses, and more. The numbers adjacent to various locations indicate the distance in miles to City Hall. According to Isaac Stokes, this map "is one of the most complete, accurate, and beautiful early engraved maps showing New York and its environs." First published in 1811, the map was reissued in 1828, 1836, 1839 and 1842. A re-engraved edition increasing the distance to "Thirty Three Miles" and adding a decorative border was published by Colton in 1846 and reissued several times over the next few decades. This edition was published by John Disturnell and was the first to include a ten-mile circle around the city and a newly engraved title. A number of towns, canals, and railroads were also added. Engraved by Peter Maverick.

All editions of this map by Eddy are very rare - we have only seen 4 examples of this map being offered for sale on the market in the last 30 years.

References: Stokes (vol. 3) p. 551; Rumsey 3472.000 (1811 edition).

Condition: B+

A clean and bright example, issued folding on thin, banknote style paper and now professionally backed in Japanese tissue to repair a number of fold separations in the map and several tears surrounding the map. Expertly remargined on all sides with a majority of the outer neatline replaced in facsimile, as well as the inner neatline at left.