David,

I don’t recall any specific instance, but a category of maps that was probably intended for public display is postal route maps. Post offices would have hung them for ready reference.

Abraham Bradley, Jr.’s frequently re-issued Map of the United States, Exhibiting the Post-Roads, etc. is from 1804, so we know that this sort of map was available.

Herman Moll’s book-published New England, New York, New Jersey and Pensilvania, etc. of 1729 was perhaps too small (7 7/8” x 10 3/4”) for public display, but it had an early description of the Philadelphia to Boston post road including a list of all the post offices at that time as well as the weekly schedule.

David Burr, who earlier was a protégé of the NYS Surveyor-General Simeon DeWitt, created maps for the US Post Office in the 1830s which showed color-coded frequency of service as well as routes.

Interesting topic, please tell us what you find out. (I almost wrote “keep us posted.”)

Edward Knoblauch

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From: A LISTSERV list for discussions pertaining to New York State history. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Allen
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 4:22 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [NYHIST-L] Maps in Public Buildings

I am investigating the distribution and use of maps in New York between 1750 - 1830.  One of the subjects that interests me is the extent to which maps were displayed at that time in public buildings, such as taverns, libraries, museums, and courthouses.  Does anyone know of  specific instances of maps being put on public display at that time?  Any information at all would be helpful.

David Allen

Encinitas, CA

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