American War of Independence (1775-83)
George III’s maps and views showing the development of the war at home and abroad, from North America to India
Map of Boston, 1775 (Boston, Massachusetts, USA) 42°21'30"N 71°03'35"W
published 1777Etching; printed on paper; some hand colouring | Scale: 1:24,020 approx. | RCIN 734013
A map of the town and harbour of Boston, and its environs, showing the positions of the Rebel works in 1775. War of American Independence (1775-83). Oriented with north to top.
This map shows considerable hydrographic information such as many soundings and sand banks, and distinguishes marshy coastal areas from dry land. Thomas Hyde Page had drawn other plans of Boston and the Battle of Bunker Hill, based on surveys by James Montresor, which were also published by Faden.
This example is the earliest of three known states. A half plate of detail has been added to the later states, increasing the area of coverage, the imprint date is changed to 1778, and the latest state is distinguished by an altered title and the addition of a note. See Nebenzahl 1975, no.21, p.15. One of these states was advertised for sale by Faden for a price of 2s 6d in his catalogue of North American Maps, &c (1778) and is illustrated on p. 223 of Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).
John Montresor (1736-99) (surveyor)
Thomas Hyde Page (1746-1821) (contributor)
William Faden (1 July 1749-21 March 1836) (engraver and publisher) [bottom centre, below edge of border:] Engraved and Publish’d by W.M FADEN, Charing Cross; as the Act directs, 1.st Oct.r 1777.
Subject(s)
Army-USA-provincial armyArmy-GBWatermark: Fleur-de-lys in crowned shield, the letters G R below; countermark: WF
Condition: one fold line; offsetting
Scale: 1:24,020 approx. Scale bar: [67 mm =] One Mile.
44.1 x 62.0 cm (neatline)
45.5 x 62.5 cm (image)
46.7 x 64.4 cm (platemark)
53.6 x 71.9 cm (sheet)
Printed title:
BOSTON / its ENVIRONS and HARBOUR, / with the / REBELS WORKS / RAISED AGAINST THAT TOWN IN 1775. / from the Observations / of LIEU.T PAGE of His MAJESTY’S Corps of Engineers. / and from the Plans of Cap.t Montresor. [top right, in rectangular cartouche]
Annotations:
George III heading: Boston 1775.
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom, right of centre, black pencil:] 14-4 [not /]; [bottom, right of centre, black pencil:] XVII/29.
George III catalogue entry:
Boston A Plan of Boston, its Environs and Harbour, with the Rebels Works raised against the Town in 1775; from the observations of Lieut. Page Eng.r and the Plans of Captain Montresor: published by Faden 1777.
Subject(s)
Boston, Massachusetts, USA (42°21'30"N 71°03'35"W)
Bibliographic reference(s)
K. Nebenzahl, A bibliography of printed battle plans of the American Revolution 1775-1795, Chicago and London 1975, no.21, p.15
L. Worms and A. Baynton-Williams, British map engravers a dictionary of engravers, lithographers and their principal employers to 1850, London 2011, p.223
Page revisions
3 November 2024
Current version
