134 Mapping boston collection Images: PICRYL - Public Domain Media Search Engine Public Domain Search

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Secunda etas mundi = Secunda etas mũdi

Although published just as news of Christopher Columbus's discoveries was beginning to spread, this was the last noteworthy world map to be produced without any indication of the New World. This depiction of th... More

Uniuersalior cogniti orbis tabula ex recentibus confecta obseruationib...

In 1507, the same year that Martin Waldseemüller issued three works announcing the existence of a new continent which he named America, Johann Ruysch published a totally different world map. This rendition, wh... More

World map - Public domain vintage map

As the first map printed in two colors, this is a monument to map printing. The place names in capital letters were printed in red ink by means of type set into the woodblocks. The decorative windheads, zodiaca... More

Martin Waldseemu Ller - Orbis typus uniuersalis iuxta hydrographorum t...

Waldseemüller may have had second thoughts about his 1507 proposal for naming the new continent "America." In 1513, he issued a fourth publication, a new edition of Claudius Ptolemy's Geographia. In it he incl... More

Tipus orbis uniuersalis iuxta Ptolomei cosmographi traditionem et Amer...

Although in his later publications Waldseemüller apparently retracted his depiction of a separate continent named America, other publishers quickly accepted his initial concept and imitated the shapes and nome... More

World map - Public domain map engraving

Bordonne, a cartographer and engraver working in Venice, was best known for his isolario or book of islands. First published in 1528, his book included 111 wood cut maps of islands. The world map, a simple outl... More

Noua, et integra vniuersi orbis descriptio

Fine, an eminent French cartographer, created this unique double cordiform or heart-shaped projection, emphasizing the northern and southern hemispheres. The European, Asian and African continents were prominen... More

Typus cosmographicus uniuersalis - Public domain old map

Decorated with sea monsters, mermaids, exotic animals, and cannibals, this wood cut map provides a marked contrast to the simplistic diagrams considered the earliest printed world maps. While the latter present... More

Quam hic vides orbis imagine[m] lector ca[n]dide ea[m] ut posteriore[m...

The Italian engraver and publisher, Antonio Salamanca, produced this finely engraved world map utilizing the double cordiform projection (heart shaped). Salamanca’s engraving was based on a 1538 map published b... More

Tierra nueua - Public domain vintage map

Ruscelli's map of northeastern North America appeared in his 1561 edition of Claudius Ptolemy's "Geographia". The map was based on a smaller 1548 map by Giacomo Gastaldi, who took much of his information from t... More

La Nuoua Francia - Public domain vintage map

This map, among the earliest separate maps of northeastern North America, was primarily based on the voyages that were taken by Giovanni da Verrazano for the French in 1524. His discoveries confirmed the contin... More

Americae siue noui orbis, noua descriptio, Abraham Ortelius 1527-1598

Ortelius's map of the Americas was one of the most identifiable and most famous cartographic representations of the western hemisphere created during the Golden Age of Dutch Cartography. It enjoyed great popula... More

Uniuersi orbis seu terreni globi in plano effigies

Created during Shakespeare's lifetime, this map illustrates the late 16th-century concept of the world. Europe and the Mediterranean regions were well understood and confidently mapped, along with Africa and As... More

Die gantze Welt in ein Kleberblat, welches in der Stadt Hannover, mein...

Depicting the world as a cloverleaf, this cartographic curiosity reflects the traditional Medieval world view of three continents. Since it was published in the late-16th century long after the New World discov... More

Americae siue noui orbis, noua descriptio, Abraham Ortelius

In 1587, Ortelius revised the map of the Americas that appeared in his Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. The changes found on this second edition are more extensive than generally thought, and are evidence of the care t... More

Hemispheriu[m] ab aequinoctiali linea, ad circulu[m] Poli Arctici : He...

During the Golden Age of Dutch Cartography, many world maps were composed of two hemispheres, one for each of the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. However, this elaborately decorated world map projected the wor... More

Orbis terrarum typus de integro multis in locis emendatus

As was fairly common during the Golden Age of Dutch Cartography, this map projects the world on two hemispheres - Eastern and Western. It was the first richly decorated map of the period and influenced the art ... More

Norumbega et Virginia - Public domain vintage map

Wytfliet's publication was essentially the first atlas devoted solely to the Americas. It consisted of a world map, 18 regional maps, and a text on the discovery, natural history, and geography of the New World... More

The able doctor; or America swallowing the bitter draught

Cartoon shows Lord North, with the "Boston Port Bill" extending from a pocket, forcing tea (the Intolerable Acts) down the throat of a partially draped Native female figure representing "America" whose arms are... More

Geographica restituta per globi trientes

Displaying the known world of the early 17th century as a triptych, with the map divided into three segments or gores, was very uncommon during the Golden Age of Dutch cartography. However, such a format was co... More

New England : the most remarqueable parts thus named by the high and m...

Based on John Smith's 1614 voyage along the New England coast, this is the first printed map devoted specifically to this region. It is also the first to use the name “New England” for an area that had up until... More

New France, New Englande, New Scotlande, and New Foundlande

Alexander, one of the leading members of the Council of New England and the first Viscount of Canada, had been given large grants of land by James I and Charles I of England. He proposed a system for the coloni... More

Carte de la Nouuelle France, augmentée depuis la derniere, seruant a ...

France's territorial claims in North America, which initially focused on the St. Lawrence River Valley and the Great Lakes, can be traced to Samuel de Champlain's explorations and trading activities in that reg... More

Nova Belgica et Anglia Nova (Willem Janszoon Blaeu 1571-1638)

This elaborately decorated map is based on the 1614 explorations of Adrian Block, a fur trader working for the Dutch, who sailed from the north shore of Long Island to explore the southern coast of New England.... More

Noua Anglia, Nouum Belgium, et Virginia - Jan Jansson

Covering the eastern portion of North America's coastline from North Carolina to Nova Scotia, this influential map appeared in English, German, Latin, Dutch, and French editions of world atlases published by Ho... More

Noua totius terrarum orbis geographica ac hydrographica tabula

First published in 1606, Blaeu's world map is one of the foremost examples of ornamentation and decoration during the Golden Age of Dutch cartography. This map had a long life, and was reissued numerous times, ... More

The south part of New England, as it planted this yeare, 1639

Public domain scan of a vintage map, city plan, atlas, cartoghraphy, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.

Noua totius terrarum orbis geographica ac hydrographica tabula

Ornately decorated and beautifully colored, this world map epitomizes the baroque style favored during the Golden Age of Dutch cartography. The map was prepared in 1630 by Henricus Hondius, who had joined in pa... More

Belgii Novi, Angliae Novae, et partis Virginiae : novissima delineatio

Printed at the peak of the Golden Age of Dutch Cartography, this famous and influential map of the northeastern coast of North America was flattered by no fewer than twenty-seven copies published in Holland, En... More

Novi Belgii, Novaeque Angliae nec non partis Virginiae tabula

This is an early re-issue of the influential map of northeastern North America, first published by Jan Jansson in 1651. While Visscher copied much of Jansson's original map, he did invert several decorative det... More

Pas caarte van Nieu Nederlandt - Public domain old map

A rare map published in Colom's "Zee Atlas" is recognized as one of the first navigational charts of New Netherlands. The chart covers the North American coast line from Cape Hatteras on the southwest to Cape C... More

Noua orbis terrarum delineatio singulari ratione accommodata meridiano...

In this striking image, the world is portrayed on one full circle (or hemisphere), which is flanked by two half circles. This unusual geometrical configuration is embraced by a double-headed eagle. Realizing th... More

Carta particolare della Nuoua Belgia è parte della Nuoua Anglia

Compiled by an Englishman but published in Italy, this was the earliest printed sailing chart showing New England. It appeared in Dudley's marine atlas, which was the first such atlas made of charts drawn on th... More

A mapp of New England - Public domain vintage map

A foundation in the early history of the mapping of New England, this map is the first printed version of William Reed's original survey of 1665. The survey was commissioned by Massachusetts authorities to supp... More

A chart of the coast of America from New found Land to Cape Cod

Published in Seller's Atlas Maritimus, the earliest general marine atlas produced in England, this was the first English chart of New England waters. It clearly shows the northern navigation routes with soundin... More

A map of New England and New York - Public domain map

This beautifully engraved and colored map represents an English version of the Jansson-Visscher series of maps of northeastern North America. Since it was published shortly after the expulsion of the Dutch from... More

A map of New-England, being the first that ever was here cut, and done...

Based on a 1665 survey by William Reed, this is the earliest map drawn, engraved and printed in North America. The survey was commissioned by the government of Massachusetts to justify the colony's northern and... More

Pas-kaart vande zee kusten inde boght van Niew Engeland : tusschen de ...

Published by the leading Dutch producer of navigational aids, this chart of New England is unlike any other of the region. It was the only Dutch chart of the colony published in the 17th century. Near the end o... More

A new map of New England, New York, New Iarsey, Pensilvania, Maryland ...

England's widening sphere of influence in eastern North America is reflected on a late 17th century map published in London. By this time, the British had extended their territorial claims from the original Che... More

Boston Harbour in New England nautical chart

This is the first printed chart of Boston Harbor. It appeared only in the 1689 and 1698 editions of The English Pilot, The Fourth Book. Seller's publication became the most popular navigational manual for ships... More

A new mapp of New England and Annapolis and the countrys adjacent

As an example of early English mapping of the British Colonies in North America, Browne's map shows the northeastern part of the continent from the St. Lawrence River to the Chesapeake Bay. Interestingly, the m... More

An exact mapp of New England and New York

Recognized as the first 18th century map of New England, this map was used to illustrate Cotton Mather's famous history of the Bay Colony, "Magnalia Christi Americana: or the Ecclesiastical History of New Engla... More

A new survey of the harbour of Boston in New England : done by order o...

New suruey of the harbour of Boston in New England Courtesy of Private Collection

A chart of the sea coast of New Foundland, New Scotland, New England, ...

First published in 1689, John Thornton's chart of the north Atlantic seacoast illustrates the type of nautical charts available to navigators in the Fourth Book of the English Pilot, which was the standard reso... More

Carte tres curieuse de la Mer du Sud, contenant des remarques nouvelle...

Richly decorated in the tradition of Dutch cartography, this map extends from eastern Asia to western Europe but focuses on the Pacific Ocean and the Americas. It is attributed to Henri Abraham Chatelain, a Hug... More

A new map of the north parts of America claimed by France under ye nam...

In 1720, London geographer and mapmaker, Herman Moll, published this map focusing on France's North American possessions. In a message below the title, he warned his British audience of French encroachment on n... More

Nova tabula geographica complectens borealiorem Americæ partem : in qu...

This pair of late-17th-century Dutch maps depicts the French and British colonies in northeastern North America extending from the Carolinas to Newfoundland. The map's central focus includes New England along w... More

Boston Harbour - Public domain vintage map

Public domain image of a vintage map, geography atlas, maritime navigation, age of discovery, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

Nouvelle Hollande (à présent Nouvelle-York), Nouvelle-Angleterre, et...

Van der Aa, a publisher of several early 18th-century atlases, based his 1729 map of New York and New England on a 1671 map by Arnoldus Montanus. The title cartouche was removed along with the scale of miles an... More

An actual survey of the sea coast from New York to the I. Cape Brition...

Southack, who lived in Boston after 1685, is recognized as America's first chartmaker. His extensive experience as a navigator and privateer in America's waters enabled him to produce several charts of the New ... More

A correct map of the coast of New England nautical chart

A large fold-out chart of the New England coast appeared from 1732 to 1760 in "The English Pilot, The Fourth Book", the standard 18th-century British navigational guide to American waters. "The English Pilot" a... More

A map of the coast of New England, from Staten Island to the island of...

This fine chart of the New England coast was based on surveys conducted by Cyprian Southack, sea captain and resident of the city of Boston. His original chart, first printed in Boston in 1734, is known in only... More

A new suruey of the harbour of Boston in New England

This chart of Boston Harbor is a rare Irish printing that was pirated from the anonymous English chart that first appeared in Mount and Page's 1707 edition of The English Pilot, The Fourth Book, as well as thei... More

A large draught of New England, New York and Long Island

The 1749 pirated Dublin edition of The English Pilot, The Fourth Book included these two relatively rare charts showing the New England coast. Although the charts in the Dublin edition resemble those in the Lon... More

A chart of the sea coast of New Foundland, New Scotland, New York, New...

The 1749 pirated Dublin edition of "The English Pilot, The Fourth Book" included two relatively rare charts showing the New England coast. Although the charts in the Dublin edition resemble those in the London ... More

Georges Louis le Rouge - Baye et port de Boston

Public domain scan of a page from geographical atlas, geography, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Carte reduite des costes orientales de l'Amerique septentrionale : 1re...

One of a series of French nautical charts covering the eastern coast of North America, this sheet covers the coast lines of New York, New England, Bay of Fundy, and Nova Scotia. The chart's only inset depicts B... More

A correct map of the coast of New England nautical chart

Carte de la Baye de Baston : située dans la Nouvelle Angleterre

Published for a French audience, this small, page-sized map depicts Boston Bay and its many islands in detail. The coast line extends from Nahant in the north all the way south to Hingham and Hull. Courtesy of ... More

Plan de la ville et du port de Boston : capitale de la Nouvelle Anglet...

This is the earliest detailed plan of the city of Boston published in France. Beautifully engraved and colored in the best style of French manuscript and printed maps, it shows streets, houses, public buildings... More

Plan de la ville et du port de Boston : capitale de la Nouvelle Anglet...

The talent and skill of Jean Lattré, a French publisher and engraver, are displayed in this attractive map of the immediate environs of Boston. The city and harbor command a sparse but forceful appearance in wh... More

Plan de la ville de Boston - Public domain old map

Published for a French audience, this small, page-sized map depicts Boston and Charlestown. The legend identifies fortifications, churches, and other public buildings. Although unsigned, this plan is similar to... More

A new and correct chart of the sea coast of New-England from Cape Codd...

Captain Barnsley's chart of the New England coast replaced that of Cyprian Southack in the 1767 edition of The English Pilot, the standard English marine atlas throughout the eighteenth century. Oriented with n... More

An accurate map of North America : describing and distinguishing the B...

Public domain image of a vintage map, geography atlas, maritime navigation, age of discovery, 16th-17th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

A map of the most inhabited part of New England : containing the provi...

This large, detailed map of New England was compiled by Braddock Mead (alias John Green), and first published by Thomas Jefferys in 1755. Green was an Irish translator, geographer, and editor, as well as one of... More

Exact plan of General Gage's lines on Boston Neck in America

Based on a map published in the Pennsylvania Magazine (August 1775), this is one of the few maps to show how the British set up their blockade on Boston Neck. The blockade was designed to protect English troops... More

Map of the environs of Boston - Public domain old map

Appearing August 28, 1775, in the London publication, The Remembrancer, this was one of the earliest British depictions of Boston and vicinity following the battle at Bunker Hill. This generalized sketch map fo... More

A plan of the town and chart of the harbour of Boston exhibiting a vie...

This chart documents the Port of Boston at the dawn of the American Revolution. Under the strain of the Boston Port Act imposed during the winter of 1774-75, New Englanders continued to agitate against their Br... More

Plan of the battle, on Bunker's Hill : fought on the 17th of June 1775

Public domain document scan of a map, military, war history, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

A sketch of the action between the British forces and the American pro...

This map and battle plan immortalized what came to be known as the Battle of Bunker Hill. The alphabetic key identifies British regiments and ships and narrates their actions. The plan also shows earthworks hel... More

A new and correct plan of the town of Boston

As an example of late 18th-century British journalistic cartography, this is a reduced version of Page's original map of Boston. Using pictorial symbols, it shows Charlestown in ruins following the British burn... More

Bowles's new pocket map of the most inhabited part of New England : co...

Public domain scan of a page from geographical atlas, geography, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Carte von dem Hafen und der Stadt Boston : mit den umliegenden Gegende...

This very rare German war plan of Boston and vicinity is an unusually fine topographic map. Its physical relief is symbolized by elaborately engraved hachures. A printed legend refers to the number and caliber ... More

A chart of Boston Bay and vicinity nautical chart

While a few of the charts in Des Barress Atlantic Neptune featured long stretches of the coast line , many focused on specific localities, such as this chart of Boston Bay. This is the earliest issue of Des Bar... More

A plan of Boston, and its environs : shewing the true situation of His...

This rare and separately issued map with its vibrant original color is an historically valuable and attractive depiction of Revolutionary War Boston and vicinity. It was the best contemporaneous map of the mili... More

Carte du port et havre de Boston avec les côtes adjacentes, dans laqu...

We Are One: This beautiful, meticulously-drawn French map of Boston's harbor and environs uses the Liberty Tree and liberty pole icons to champion the Americans' cause. In the decorative title cartouche, a Nati... More

Carta della Nuova Inghilterra, Nuova Iork, e Pensilvania

Public domain image of a vintage map, geography atlas, maritime navigation, age of discovery, 16th-17th century architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

A plan of Boston in New England with its environs : including Milton, ...

This most important battle plan of the New England theater of war shows, in detail, the American fortifications on Dorchester Heights forcing the British to leave Boston in 1776. This was the best printed plan ... More

A plan of the town of Boston, with the intrenchments &c. of His Majest...

This map, created by Lieutenant Thomas Hyde Page, undoubtedly follows the earlier survey of Captain John Montressor and became the most informative record available for the town of Boston at the time of the Ame... More

Plan de Boston avec les sondes et les directions pour la navigation : ...

Boston and other nearby towns, many of which were depicted pictorially, are located on this French chart of Boston Bay. Boston, with city blocks colored in different shades, covers most of the peninsula. The ha... More

A plan of the action at Bunkers Hill, on the 17th. of June, 1775 : bet...

Page, an English military engineer who served as aide de campe to General Howe during the action, prepared this detailed plan of the Battle of Bunker Hill. It is the best known and most commonly reproduced plan... More

Boston, its environs and harbour, with the rebels works raised against...

This Revolutionary War era map was based on British intelligence from the observations of Lieutenant Page and the plans of Captain Montressor. It was published in 1778 by the London publisher, William Faden. Th... More

Partie septentrionale des possessions Angloise en Amerique : pour serv...

Focusing on the northern part of the English colonies in North America, this map was prepared to inform the French public of the “present war between the English and their colonies.” It was compiled by selectin... More

A plan of the action at Bunkers Hill, on the 17th. of June, 1775 : bet...

Boston - Public domain architectural plan engraving

This plan of the town of Boston is one of an unrecorded pair of German engravings, originally printed in a book, pertaining to Boston. Together they present a detailed picture of the setting of the Boston Massa... More

Boston et ses environs - Public domain vintage map

Reflecting French interest in the American Revolutionary War, this French publication was copied from a similar map of Boston and vicinity published in London in 1778. The original map was based on the British ... More

Carte particuliere du havre de Boston : avec les sondes les bancs de S...

This detailed navigational chart shows shallows, sandbars, rocks, and other directions useful to ship captains trying to navigate their way through Boston Harbor. Clearly marked shoals within the harbor occupy ... More

Carte particuliere du havre de Boston : avec les sondes les bancs de S...

This detailed navigational chart shows the shallows, sandbars, rocks, and other directions useful to ship captains trying to navigate their way through Boston Harbor. Published by the French Dépôt des Cartes et... More

Hafen von Boston - Public domain map engraving

This map of Boston Harbor and vicinity is one of an unrecorded pair of German engravings, originally printed in a book, pertaining to Boston. Together they present a detailed picture of the setting of the Bosto... More

The coast of New England nautical chart

European charts of North America were sadly inadequate prior to the Revolution, but Des Barres’ publication of The Atlantic Neptune more than made up for the deficiency. Displayed here is one of the more genera... More

A chart of the harbour of Boston nautical chart

This survey of Boston Harbor, first published in 1775 in Des Barres's Atlantic Neptune, was the pre-eminent chart of the harbor produced in the 18th century. It was used by the Royal Navy during the American Re... More

Carte de la partie nord, des Etats Unis, de l'Amérique Septentrionale

Public domain scan of a page from geographical atlas, geography, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Chart of the coast of New England nautical chart

Public domain scan of an 18th-century map, vintage, old, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.

A plan of the action at Bunkers Hill on the 17th of June 1775 between ...

The state of Massachusetts - Public domain old map

This is the first state map of Massachusetts to be published in the young republic. The Massachusetts state government, realizing that efficient communications, not just postal routes and roads, but also canals... More

A new chart of America with the harbors of New York, Boston, &c

Heather, a London engraver and chart maker, published this two-sheet chart of the American coast, along with his Pilot for the Atlantic Ocean, at the end of the 18th century. The chart displays detailed coastal... More

A chart of the Harbour of Boston, with the soundings, sailing-marks an...

One of the last of the 18th-century nautical surveys of Boston Harbor, this chart contains many aids to navigation, including soundings, sailing marks, and other directions. The atlas from which it is taken was... More

Map of Massachusetts proper - Public domain old map

While this is the earliest official state map of Massachusetts, its importance far exceeds its local interest. It was also one of the earliest state maps published after American independence and its compilatio... More