Joseph Purcell’s “A Map of the States of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia…” was first engraved and printed in 1788, and published in the August 1788 issue of American Magazine, and the 1789 edition of Jedidiah Morse’s American Geography. A 1792 London edition of Morse’s American Geography followed, published by John Stockdale, with the Purcell map engraved by the William Harrisons (Sr. & Jr.). In the next few years, editions were published in Edinburgh, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Dublin, with the respective publisher and engraver imprints omitted or properly credited to the local artists. These works also contained a companion map of the northern states.
In 2015, an interesting set of these maps was acquired by Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps, Inc. These maps look nearly identical to the 1792 Stockdale issued maps, even to the point of including the Stockdale imprint and the London engravers’ imprints!
A Map of the Northern and Middle States...
The presence of “Se Vend Chez F. Monty à Genève” imprint (sold at F. Monty in Geneva) on the northern/middle states map was the only clue to the origin of this unusual pair of maps.
The Geneva Purcell map includes an “A d” to the right of the Stockdale imprint, but does not include the “Monty” imprint.
Bottom, Purcell map published in London.
Images courtesy of Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps, Inc.
At first glance, the striking similarity to the London maps, and the presence of the Stockdale and London engravers’ imprints, could lead to an assumption that these were Stockdale map sheets sent to Geneva, and that the additional imprints may have been stamped on the sheets. In addition to the near perfect copying of the Stockdale imprint, notice below how closely the engravers’ imprint was copied (even magnified many times from actual size):
Bottom: Purcell map published in London
Images courtesy of Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps, Inc.
However, a close inspection reveals that these Geneva maps are printed from different plates than the Stockdale issue. François Monty was a publisher and bookseller, so the actual engraver of these maps remains unknown. There are multiple very subtle variations in the engravings. On the Purcell map, one of the most conspicuous differences is the engraving of “YAZOO”. On the Geneva plate, the “Z” actually looks like a reversed “N”.
Yazoo on Geneva map (above left) and on London map (above right).
In addition to the Monty imprint, the map of the northern/middle states includes one added line of text (in French!) to the “Explanation” at the top left:
Barry Ruderman postulates that these maps were likely sold as separates, and/or bound into composite atlases. The very few copies that have appeared on the market thus far are on relatively large sheets, without the abundant folds typically encountered with the London copies that have been bound into American Geography.
A French edition of Morse’s American Geography, titled, Tableau de la situation actuelle des États-Ùnis d’Amériques, d’après Jedidiah Morse et les meilleurs auteurs américains, published in 1795, in Paris, would seem a likely candidate. However, one will find maps printed from the London plates contained therein, rather than the maps published in Geneva. If anyone finds the “Geneva Purcell” map bound into an atlas or book, please let us know via the “What’s on your mind?” comment box at the bottom of this page. Alternatively, you can use the our Contact page.
The firm of François Monty (or Monti), was sold to the Manéga Brothers in 1826.[[From the 7 July 1826 issue of Gazette de Lausanne et Journal Suisse, “Manéga brothers, dealers in paintings and prints, continue to follow their two assorted stores of all kinds, one in Geneva, at Bel-Air, the other in Bern. As purchasers and successors of F. Monti’s collection, they take pleasure in informing the public that, by this latest acquisition, they are in a position to be able to respond to all the requests that will be made to them.”]]
This blogger is indebted to Ashley Baynton-Williams and Barry Ruderman for information. Any inaccuracies subsequently introduced are solely the fault of the blogger.
What an amazing talent and eye for detail and knowledge to see these differences! Thank you for sharing