Rare Old Map of Louisiana Purchase in North America by Cary, 1806: Incomplete Alaska & Canada Coastline
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FREE delivery in 2 to 3 days
Free delivery in 2 to 3 days
Your map should be delivered in 2 to 3 working days with free delivery, worldwide.
We make maps by hand locally in 23 countries, including Canada
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. If you're buying a gift for someone in another country, we will make the map locally to them.You will never pay import tax or customs duty.
Free delivery will gradually get slower towards Christmas, as postal services start to struggle with larger volumes of post. I recommend ordering sooner rather than later to make sure you get everything with time to spare. Check my Christmas delivery guide for more info.
Express delivery is available at checkout which can reduce the delivery time to 1-2 days.
Please note that personalised maps, and larger framed maps, can take longer to produce and deliver.
If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, contact me and we can discuss your options.
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Certified sustainable +
we plant trees🌳
Sustainability & Tree Planting
Here at The Unique Maps Co., we have an unusually high affinity for paper. After all, without paper, there can be no maps!
That's why all of our paper, frames and packaging are from FSC certified sources.
But we don't stop there. We've partnered with Treeapp to plant trees around the world.
If you spend $80 or more, we'll plant a tree in your name.
- Framing & personalisation available
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60 day money back guarantee
60 days to return and refund
Products can be returned within 60 days for a full refund, or exchange for another product.
Our usual returns window is 30 days, but to give you extra peace of mind during the Christmas period, we have an extended returns period of 60 days.
For personalised and customised items, we may offer you a non-expiring gift card, as we cannot resell personalised orders.
If you have any questions, get in touch. For more information, see our full returns & exchanges policy.
My maps are rare, museum-grade, restored old maps sourced from libraries, auction houses and private collections across the globe.
- The model holds the 16x16in (40x40cm) map
Custom size and finish
If you are looking for a size or finish that is not available here, please request it in the "order note" when you check out.
Every order is custom made, so if you need the size adjusted slightly, or printed on an unusual material, just let us know. We've done thousands of custom orders over the years, so there's (almost) nothing we can't manage.
You can also contact us before you order, if you prefer!
Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of early 19th-century North America with "A New Map of North America From The Latest Authorities" by the esteemed cartographer John Cary, published in 1806. This map, a marvel of precision and detail, arrives at a pivotal moment in history, on the cusp of the publication of the first official account and map of Lewis & Clark's expedition. Cary, renowned for his meticulous work, presents a continent on the brink of exploration and transformation. The map's title itself hints at the ambition to consolidate the most current knowledge of the era, offering a snapshot of a world about to be redrawn by the hands of explorers, settlers, and nations.
John Cary, an English cartographer known for his accuracy and detail, has masterfully captured the geographical knowledge of North America just before the monumental Lewis & Clark expedition. The map showcases the large, partially defined area known as Louisiana, providing a unique depiction of the territory shortly after the Louisiana Purchase. This acquisition doubled the size of the United States, and Cary's map invites us to ponder the vast, uncharted lands that lay waiting for exploration and settlement. His work is a testament to the cartographic skills of the time, revealing not only the known cities and settlements but also the speculative geography that characterized the era's maps.
The map is rich with geographical features, including the intricate river systems that were crucial for the exploration and development of the continent. From the majestic Rocky Mountains to the extensive coastlines along the Atlantic and Pacific, Cary's map delineates the natural contours that would guide the footsteps of pioneers and adventurers. The depiction of the river systems above the Pawnee Villages on the Missouri River, informed by Arrowsmith's map, highlights the quest for a passage across the Rockies to the Pacific. This level of detail provides a fascinating glimpse into the challenges faced by explorers and the importance of rivers in the nation's expansion.
Beyond its geographical significance, the map is a cultural and political document, capturing the complex tapestry of territories, settlements, and indigenous lands. It portrays the Spanish land grants in California, the British territories in Canada, and the detailed representation of Native American tribes, offering a snapshot of the diverse peoples who called North America home. The map's depiction of borders and boundaries reflects the fluid nature of territorial claims and the geopolitical tensions of the time. Cary's work serves as a reminder of the continent's contested and multifaceted history, inviting viewers to reflect on the stories and struggles embedded within these lines on paper.
Finally, "A New Map of North America From The Latest Authorities" is not only a historical artifact but also a work of art. Hand-colored and engraved with a decorative border, it exemplifies the craftsmanship of early 19th-century mapmaking. The inclusion of a table of distances and the careful attention to design elements make this map a valuable item for collectors and enthusiasts alike. John Cary's map is a bridge between the known and the unknown, a document that captures the spirit of exploration and the endless possibilities that lay beyond the frontier. It invites us to explore, to dream, and to marvel at the world as it was known to our ancestors, on the eve of great discoveries.
Cities and towns on this map
- York (Toronto)
- Quebec
- Montreal
- Halifax
- Saint John
- Fredericton
- Charlottetown
- St. John's
- Louisbourg
- Philadelphia
- New York City
- Boston
- Charleston
- Baltimore
- Savannah
- New Orleans
- Washington, D.C.
- Richmond
- Norfolk
- Wilmington
- New Haven
- Portland
- Portsmouth
- Salem
- Newburyport
- Gloucester
- Marblehead
- Lynn
- Charlestown
- Cambridge
- Roxbury
- Dorchester
- Brooklyn
- Albany
- Schenectady
- Troy
- Utica
- Syracuse
- Rochester
- Buffalo
- Niagara Falls
- Detroit
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Cincinnati
- Louisville
- Nashville
- St. Louis
- Memphis
- Natchez
- Mobile
- Pensacola
- Tallahassee
- Augusta
- Milledgeville
- Columbia
- Raleigh
- Fayetteville
- New Bern
- Edenton
- Elizabeth City
- Washington
- Baltimore
- Annapolis
- Frederick
- Hagerstown
- Cumberland
- Winchester
- Staunton
- Charlottesville
- Lynchburg
- Danville
- Richmond
- Petersburg
- Norfolk
- Portsmouth
- Suffolk
- Alexandria
- Leesburg
- Warrenton
- Culpeper
- Orange
- Charlottesville
- Staunton
- Harrisonburg
- Winchester
- Romney
- Moorefield
- Clarksburg
- Weston
- Philippi
- Beverly
- Buckhannon
- Sutton
- Weston
- Clarksburg
- Fairmont
- Morgantown
- Kingwood
- Grafton
- Philippi
- Beverly
- Elkins
- Huttonsville
- Huntersville
- Lewisburg
- White Sulphur Springs
- Union
- Monroe
- Princeton
- Bluefield
- Welch
- Williamson
- Matewan
- Logan
- Madison
- Charleston
- Huntington
- Parkersburg
- Marietta
- Belpre
- Pomeroy
- Gallipolis
- Point Pleasant
- Ravenswood
- Spencer
- Ripley
- Grantsville
- Calhoun
- Glenville
- Weston
- Sutton
- Flatwoods
- Webster Springs
- Cowen
- Richwood
- Summersville
- Hinton
- Alderson
- Ronceverte
Notable Features & Landmarks
- Arctic Ocean
- Atlantic Ocean
- Gulf of Mexico
- Hudson Bay
- Pacific Ocean
- International boundaries
- State and provincial boundaries
- Appalachian Mountains
- Rocky Mountains
- Northwest Passage
- Hudson's Bay Company territory
- Spanish Florida
- Louisiana Territory
- Oregon Country
- Santa Fe de Nuevo México
Historical and design context
- Published on the eve of the publication of the first official account and map of Lewis & Clark's expedition from the Missouri River to the mouth of the Columbia River.
- The large partially defined area shown as Louisiana is a representation of Louisiana shortly after the Louisiana Purchase.
- Excellent detail along the NW Coast of America.
- The treatment of California, Oregon, and Utah shows a marvelous picture of the relative void of reliable information in the interior parts of the West on the eve of the official reports of Humboldt, Pike, and Lewis & Clark.
- Classic depiction of Mexico and Upper California on the eve of Mexico's independence from Spain.
- Excellent detail in Canada, especially the unsettled western portions, east of the Rocky Mountains.
- One of the last commercial maps of the period not to provide exaggerated and unknown regions with bold (and inaccurate) claims.
- Fascinating northern coastline for Alaska and Canada along the Northwest Passage.
- Reflects the state of geographical knowledge of North America on the eve of the Lewis & Clark expedition.
- One of the last maps to depict the Louisiana Territory as a single political entity.
- Shows the Spanish land grants in California and the British territories in Canada.
- Provides a detailed look at the Native American tribes of the time.
- Hand-colored, engraved, decorative border, includes a table of distances.
Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.
This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.
This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 90in (230cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.
Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.
The model in the listing images is holding the 16x16in (40x40cm) version of this map.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.
Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.
For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.
Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.
If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.
I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.
All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.
I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.
If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).
We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.
My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.
I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.
Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.
Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.
All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.
Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.
If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.
My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.
I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.
My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.
I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.
I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.
Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.
Map personalisation
If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.
The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.
To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.
Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.
Map ageing
I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.
Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.
All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.
If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!
If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.
If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.
I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.
I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.
Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.
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