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The first map of the US made after the Revolution

krankykranky Posts: 8,709 ✭✭✭
A few months ago, one of the few extant copies of the first map made of the US after the American Revolution sold at a Christie's auction for $2.1 million. The map was made in 1784 and was the first map to show the US flag. The mapmaker was Abel Buell, who numismatists know as the maker of the dies for the Fugio Cent. Link to photo of map and auction writeup.

I thought it was cool that Buell had a hand in two very well known collectibles which are so different.

And it also reminded me of the late Rob Retz, board member here under the handle Abuell and Fugio expert, who passed away some years back.

New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.

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    zap1111zap1111 Posts: 1,298 ✭✭
    Thanks for sharing the link and bringing all of this to light. Fascinating!
    zap
    zap1111
    102 capped bust half dollars - 100 die marriages
    BHNC #198
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    keyman64keyman64 Posts: 15,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Amazing, thank you for the post! image
    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Not really looking for much these days but if I were, it might be a toner. :smile:
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    robertprrobertpr Posts: 6,862 ✭✭✭
    Interesting stuff, thank you Kranky.
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    RB1026RB1026 Posts: 1,521 ✭✭✭✭
    That's a very sharp observation for sure. I had no idea. I have become increasingly captivated with early American history the past year or so and find it to be extremely fascinating. There are a LOT of wonderful and intriguing connections between persons and places of that era and a remarkable number of related collectibles have survived for our enjoyment.

    Thanks for sharing.
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    Connecticut went all the way to the Mississippi?
    Very interesting.
    Too bad you can't zoom in enough to read the small print.
    I really enjoyed seeing that. Thanks for the link.

    John
    Successful BSTs with lordmarcovan, pontiacinf, Harry779, ajia, jfoot13, coinfame, Hammered54, fivecents, Coll3ctor, al410, commoncents123.
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    WoodenJeffersonWoodenJefferson Posts: 6,491 ✭✭✭✭
    I had no idea that Connecticut once ran all the way to the Mississippi River!
    Chat Board Lingo

    "Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
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    TomBTomB Posts: 22,983 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That is a fantastic map!
    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
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    Very interesting. Thank you for the information Kranky.

    Ron
    Collect for the love of the hobby, the beauty of the coins, and enjoy the ride.
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    EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,677 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
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    krankykranky Posts: 8,709 ✭✭✭
    And from the enlargement above, to the right of the flag you can see that familiar sun with a face that is also on the Fugio cent (pointed rays version!) image

    New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.

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    Michigan didn't have a thumb back then how times have changed
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    guitarwesguitarwes Posts: 9,308 ✭✭✭

    Thanks for sharing. I'm sure glad Georgia changed it's shape, sure wouldn't want to be that close to Louisiana all the time image


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    chumleychumley Posts: 2,305 ✭✭✭✭
    my part of maine is apparently part of canada at that time
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    Billet7Billet7 Posts: 4,923 ✭✭✭
    Beautiful map, and a wonderful piece of history, good to hear that it will be preserved for future generations in the Library of Congress. Thanks for sharing!
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    epcjimi1epcjimi1 Posts: 3,489 ✭✭✭
    I assume that's Buell's interpretation of Lady Liberty below and right of the flag. What is she holding in her left hand? Why is her cap on top of the pole? There appears to be an eagle head next to her right elbow. That's a pretty scrappy looking pine tree to her left. I wonder if it symbolizes something?

    Thanks for the thread, pretty interesting stuff.
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    EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,677 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Lady Liberty's leg is way too long.

    It is interesting to see "Meridian of Philadelphia"
    Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
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    krankykranky Posts: 8,709 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Why is her cap on top of the pole? >>



    From http://www.banknoteden.com/TMFOM%20Liberty%20Cap%20set.htm...

    In 1675 the Sons of Liberty, a formal underground secret pre revolutionary organization of American Patriots from the 13 colonies, adopted the Liberty Pole and Cap as a symbol of liberty. The Liberty Pole is a pole similar to a flagpole which would fly a flag or be topped with a Phrygian Cap. Handbills would be printed summoning interested parties to meetings and speeches for Liberty at various places including the Liberty Tree and Liberty Pole. It is likely that the pole or tree was adorned with the cap during such meetings to draw people to the spot. During the American Revolution, soldiers in the North Eastern colonies were known to wear red caps embroidered with “Liberty” or “Liberty or Death”.

    New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.

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    epcjimi1epcjimi1 Posts: 3,489 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Why is her cap on top of the pole? >>



    From http://www.banknoteden.com/TMFOM%20Liberty%20Cap%20set.htm...

    In 1675 the Sons of Liberty, a formal underground secret pre revolutionary organization of American Patriots from the 13 colonies, adopted the Liberty Pole and Cap as a symbol of liberty. The Liberty Pole is a pole similar to a flagpole which would fly a flag or be topped with a Phrygian Cap. Handbills would be printed summoning interested parties to meetings and speeches for Liberty at various places including the Liberty Tree and Liberty Pole. It is likely that the pole or tree was adorned with the cap during such meetings to draw people to the spot. During the American Revolution, soldiers in the North Eastern colonies were known to wear red caps embroidered with “Liberty” or “Liberty or Death”. >>



    Wow! Thanks for the info, I had absolutely no idea. Fascinating stuff!
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    Land owned by each state was clearly defined along the coast, but became increasingly indetermintate the further west one went. While states might have claimed ownership of land all the way to the Mississippi, this claim was dubious and not well backed, though the Louisiana Purchase did help solidify the claim internationally. Still, there were people alreeady there with their own nations but a very different culture, one that thought the whole idea of owning land a bit absurd--until armed soldiers started asking them to move.
    Improperly Cleaned, Our passion for numismatics is Genuine! Now featuring correct spelling.
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    NysotoNysoto Posts: 3,826 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks for posting, historic maps are always interesting!

    I am researching the history of Robert Scot for a book (US Mint Chief Engraver 1793-1823), who engraved a couple of maps mentioned in the article (but not noted). At the bottom of the article under "Saleroom Notice" there is mention of a "small" battle map of Yorktown. This was "Investment of York and Gloucester" engraved by Robert Scot in 1782, and was the first map to have a US flag. It was a historically important map that documented much of the information now used in history books for the decisive final battle of the American Revolution.

    Before the 1783 Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, Abel Buell and William McMurray were both working on their maps of the United States. Buell's map was released 8 months earlier, but McMurray continued to compile current information, including Thomas Jefferson's outline of proposed new states in the Land Ordinance of 1784. This was the reason the McMurray map came later, and not because of printing issues. Robert Scot engraved the McMurray map, and also had his own printing facilities. McMurray was an assistant geographer for the Continental Army, his map was more accurate and complete than Buell's, was advertised heavily and sold many copies.
    Robert Scot: Engraving Liberty - biography of US Mint's first chief engraver
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    fastfreddiefastfreddie Posts: 2,956 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Land owned by each state was clearly defined along the coast, but became increasingly indetermintate the further west one went. While states might have claimed ownership of land all the way to the Mississippi, this claim was dubious and not well backed, though the Louisiana Purchase did help solidify the claim internationally. Still, there were people alreeady there with their own nations but a very different culture, one that thought the whole idea of owning land a bit absurd--until armed soldiers started asking them to move. >>



    "Asking them to move" That's funny - not. image My ancestory is part Seminole.

    What's interesting too is that this map helped spark the controversy between Michigan and Ohio over the 'Toledo Strip' after the passage of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. This inaccurate map shows the southern tip of Lake Michigan too far North. Ohio, in passage of its constitution in 1803 moved their northern boundry on an angle to include the Maumee basin and present day Toledo. We almost had a mini-civil war some thirty years earlier than thee 'War between the States'.

    Great map. Thanks for sharing!!
    It is not that life is short, but that you are dead for so very long.
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    LanceNewmanOCCLanceNewmanOCC Posts: 19,999 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    yes, ty for a fascinating and important post

    i do really enjoy reading/watching/listening about how our country was formed and the events that led/lead to it
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    <--- look what's behind the mask! - cool link 1/NO ~ 2/NNP ~ 3/NNC ~ 4/CF ~ 5/PG ~ 6/Cert ~ 7/NGC 7a/NGC pop~ 8/NGCF ~ 9/HA archives ~ 10/PM ~ 11/NM ~ 12/ANACS cert ~ 13/ANACS pop - report fakes 1/ACEF ~ report fakes/thefts 1/NCIS - Numi-Classes SS ~ Bass ~ Transcribed Docs NNP - clashed coins - error training - V V mm styles -

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    Wolf359Wolf359 Posts: 7,666 ✭✭✭
    It's like a page in a Harry Turtledove alternate history novel.
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    Wolf359Wolf359 Posts: 7,666 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Land owned by each state was clearly defined along the coast, but became increasingly indetermintate the further west one went. While states might have claimed ownership of land all the way to the Mississippi, this claim was dubious and not well backed, though the Louisiana Purchase did help solidify the claim internationally. Still, there were people alreeady there with their own nations but a very different culture, one that thought the whole idea of owning land a bit absurd--until armed soldiers started asking them to move. >>



    Did you mean the settlers who built homes that were attacked and burnt by the Indians and had to be protected?

    Please don't make up your brand of history here. There's a whole ugly Internet for that.
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    LanceNewmanOCCLanceNewmanOCC Posts: 19,999 ✭✭✭✭✭
    .
    .
    "<< Land owned by each state was clearly defined along the coast, but became increasingly indeterminate the further west one went. While states might have claimed ownership of land all the way to the Mississippi, this claim was dubious and not well backed, though the Louisiana Purchase did help solidify the claim internationally. Still, there were people already there with their own nations but a very different culture, one that thought the whole idea of owning land a bit absurd--until armed soldiers started asking them to move. >>"

    Unless I am mistaken the land of America was in fact strong-armed which is what that post is signifying. To state someone discovered a place with tens/hundreds of thousands of people is absurd. Obviously how nations got/get started is through theft/war. It is pretty much how it has always been done.

    I am not Saying Howard Zinn's A People's History was incorrect but it sounded about right to me.

    NO desire to get into the semantics; simply offering a different perspective of what those words quoted above seemed to mean.
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    .

    <--- look what's behind the mask! - cool link 1/NO ~ 2/NNP ~ 3/NNC ~ 4/CF ~ 5/PG ~ 6/Cert ~ 7/NGC 7a/NGC pop~ 8/NGCF ~ 9/HA archives ~ 10/PM ~ 11/NM ~ 12/ANACS cert ~ 13/ANACS pop - report fakes 1/ACEF ~ report fakes/thefts 1/NCIS - Numi-Classes SS ~ Bass ~ Transcribed Docs NNP - clashed coins - error training - V V mm styles -

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