Rare French & Indian War Plan of Fort Edward

"A Plan of the Royal Block House, with the Environs at Fort Edward", Rocque, Mary Ann

This simple plan is centered on the Hudson River, oriented to the east, with Fort Edward appearing at top adjacent to the title. Fort Edward was constructed in 1755 during the French and Indian War by General Phineas Lyman, a colonial American who served in the British Army during the war. The plan shows various waterways, a barracks on Rogers Island, a road to Lake George, and a blockhouse on the west bank of the Hudson. A small inset shows a bird's-eye plan of the blockhouse.

John Rocque was born Jean, the son of French Huguenot emigrant parents, who settled in London when he was quite young. Rocque is known for his survey and mapping of London, particularly the 16-sheet city plan he published in 1746, considered to be the finest depiction of London at that time. In 1751 he was appointed Chorographer to the Prince of Wales. His business was destroyed by fire in 1750, but he continued afterward and maintained the success of his business. His wife, Mary Ann Rocque, took over the business upon his death in 1762, finalizing publication of A Set of Plans and Forts in America. The work was first published in 1763, with a second edition appearing in 1765, with the only change being the addition of plate numbers. A Set of Plans and Forts in America included 30 maps and plans of important forts and other locations important during the French and Indian War, which had just concluded. Peter Andrews, also known as Pierre Andre, worked with Mary Ann Rocque and engraved some (if not all) of the plans in the work; his imprint appears on four of the plans.

References: Phillips (Atlases) #1186-15; Sellers & Van Ee #1126; Shirley (BL Atlases) T.ROCQ-2a #22.

Condition: A

A sharp impression on a clean sheet of watermarked paper with remnants of hinge tape on verso.