Maps of the United States of America

Exploration into "terra incognita," or unknown land, by European powers lit the fire of European colonization of the New World. Antique maps of America follow the progress of the exploration and subsequent conquest. One of the most famous maps of America from the 17th century is John Speed’s 1626 map. Bordered with vignettes of the native people and cities of the Americas, it is the first atlas map to accurately show the east coast of North America. Other important maps detail the first colonies, such as Nicholaas Visscher’s 1684 map of New York, New England, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The 1507 wood block "Universalis Cosmographia" by scholar Martin Waldseemuller was the first to name America after explorer Amerigo Vespucci.

Important maps of the United States often document major changes. "The American Military Pocket Atlas" by the London firm Robert Sayer and John Bennett is a Revolutionary War artifact. Published in 1776, the atlas is a collection of maps of the British colonies. Some maps were specific to the California gold rush, with gold hot spots often depicted in relief. Maps that followed the Missouri Compromise showing the division of slave and free states and Civil War era maps are significant historic memorabilia.

Road maps and vintage maps from the 20th century are the cornerstone of many collections. A friendly map published by Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company illustrated the Pan-American Highway through the Americas, including the commodities and tourist sites of each location. The Pan-American map was one of many marketing ploys by oil companies during the Great Depression.

Quick Facts

• "Travels to the Source of the Missouri River, and Across the American Continent to the Pacific Ocean," a 1817 map documenting Lewis and Clark’s journey by Meriwether Lewis sold for $7,500 at a 2014 Bonham’s auction
• A first edition folio of "The American Atlas" created in 1775 by Thomas Jefferys showing the regions of North America and the British colonies engraved on 48 copper plates sold for $47,453 at Sotheby’s in 2015
• The first map of the United States by Connecticut mapmaker Abel Buell sold for $1.8 million at an auction by Christie’s in 2010