This is one of Moll’s most famous maps. Showing all of the United States and Canada, it is part geographical record, part political statement.
Moll cites four sources for this important map of the United States on his cartouche. “Mr. Blackmore” refers to Nathaniel Blackmore, a naval officer who conducted a survey in the Bay of Fundy and Nova Scotia; “the ingenious Mr. Berisford” refers to Richard Beresford, one of the Indian Commissioners in South Carolina. His name is associated with a manuscript map held in the Public Records Office which scholars believe acted as a source for the south eastern United States used on this map. The information shown on this map is published for the first time and has been traced to the manuscript. Although the manuscript is unsigned, the association is strengthened by Moll’s reference to Beresford and by the fact that Beresford was known to have been in London c. 1717 and could easily have met with Moll during this period. Moll made a point to meet individuals such as Beresford.
“Captain Nairn” refers to Thomas Nairne, a Scottish trader and the first Indian Agent in Carolina, who had a vast knowledge of the western interior the beyond the nebulous western borders of the colonies.
Finally, Moll makes a reference to a French map recently published in 1718 which show French claims to North America, which he has copied onto this map. He calls upon plantation owners and investors in the American colonies to purchase his map and inspect and comment on the geopolitics promoted by this French map. A further note to the right of the cartouche identifies the French map as drawn by “M. de L’isle in 1718” and that he was willing to show it to any gentlemen who cared to look at it in his premises. It is a brilliant piece of marketing as Moll is not only promoting his own map, he is also selling de L’Isle’s map at the same time. In a further irony, in copying de L’Isle’s map, he uses the latest and most accurate information available for the region of the Gulf of Mexico.
Overall, this map is a stunning overview of the latest geography available of the United States, has an extraordinary geographical scope and had vast geopolitical consequences.
The date on the map is 1720 but as is usual with Moll’s maps, that is the engraving date. Judging by the addresses and publishers involved in its marketing, it was most likely to be produced between 1730 and 1738.
Original colour.