Map of the United States with the contiguous British & Spanish possessions / compiled from the latest & best authorities by John Melish ; engraved by J. Vallance & H.S. Tanner

Relief shown pictorially ; "Entered according to act of Congress the 6th day of June 1816." ; Prime meridians: London and Washington ; Includes inset maps of the West Indies and a Statistical Table. This map has the distinction of being the first large scale detailed map made in the U.S. that showed the entire country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Martin and Ristow identify seven states of this 1816 edition of this map. Melish published new editions in 1818 (five states), 1819 (two states), 1820 (eight states), 1822 (two states), and 1823 (one state) for a total of twenty five different issues. Notwithstanding the many issues, the map has become extremely rare. A book accompanied the map (though issued separately) titled "A Geographical Description of the United States..." (AGS RARE E165 .M514 1816). Outline color by state or territory

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