One of the Earliest Published Maps of the English Colony of Georgia
"New Map of Georgia", Bernard, Jean Frederic
Subject: Colonial Southeast United States
Period: 1737 (dated)
Publication: Recueil des Voyages...
Color: Hand Color
Size:
10.3 x 7.5 inches
26.2 x 19.1 cm
This is a scarce map that is one of the earliest published maps of the English colony of Georgia. It is a somewhat larger example that was apparently taken from the 1733 map in Martyn's Reasons for Establishing The Colony of Georgia, although with numerous errors and omissions. This map has also been attributed to James Oglethorpe, founder of the British Georgia colony in 1732, and presents extensive English claims southward to just north of St. Augustine, no doubt inflaming Spanish interests at the time. This hostility led to the War of Jenkins Ear in 1739. The map covers the region from Florida and up the east coast extending north to above the Cartuck River at the northern border of South Carolina. It extends west to beyond the Mississippi River, showing all of colonial South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The southern portion of Florida is composed of numerous islands. A southerly bloated coast along the Florida panhandle suggests vast lands that could be utilized by farmers under the “Oglethorpe Plan” for colonization. Coincidentally, the lands end at the line demarcing “The South Bounds of Carolina”. Few settlements are identified, with the exception of Charles Town, Port Royall, St. Augustine and a few others, and the prime meridian is drawn at Charleston. This map also includes notations related to the number of men in various Indian tribes: Illinois 500 men, Weachthenoes 500 men, Okesee Nation 700 men. A fascinating map that was clearly constructed to promote the Georgia colonization efforts.
Few examples of this map are seen in sales records for the past three decades.
References: Cumming (SE) #234.
Condition: B+
Very nice example with bright impression on hand laid paper with "Sprae" watermark. There are two areas of paper weakness that appear to have been made during paper manufacture. Expert repair to small hole in margin. There are light tape stains in upper border and a binding trim at top right.
