One of the earliest available maps of Massachusetts. Published in Reid's 1796 "American Atlas", the second folio-sized domestically produced atlas in the United States. This map shows the state just eight years after it was admitted to the Union.




This finely engraved map divides the state into counties, shows the developing road network, intricate river system and charmingly illustrates the topography of the region.



The cartographic source for this map is that of Matthew Carey's map of Massachusetts published just one year earlier in his "American Atlas". This example was issued in Reid's "American Atlas", the much expanded companion volume to accompany William Winterbotham's work "An Historical, Geographical, Commercial and Philosophical View of the United States" published in America. This map is one of two maps from Reid's work that does not include an engraving credit.



[USA9212]