{"product_id":"old-battle-map-of-bunker-hill-by-norman-1782-boston-harbor-charles-river-charlestown-north-battery-long-wharf","title":"Old Battle Map of Bunker Hill by Norman, 1782: Boston Harbor, Charles River, Charlestown, North Battery, Long Wharf","description":"\u003cp\u003eJohn Norman’s Plan of the Town of Boston, with the Attack on Bunker’s Hill (1782) is the first printed map of the Battle of Bunker’s Hill and one of the earliest American-engraved plans of the Revolutionary War. Spanning the entire expanse of Boston and the Charlestown peninsula, the plan fuses urgent reportage with deliberate cartography, presenting a pivotal moment of June 17, 1775 in remarkable detail. An engraved key identifies significant streets and landmarks, guiding the eye from Long Wharf and the Mill Pond across the Charles River to the contested heights. As a document of both strategy and urban memory, it preserves the city’s pre-war fabric while fixing in copper the clash that transformed the conflict from protest to pitched war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the center stands Bunker’s Hill, where the American redoubt and contiguous American fortifications bristle against converging British regulars. The map clearly delineates the positions attributed to William Prescott and Israel Putnam, whose improvised defenses and disciplined fire shocked the advancing lines. British assaults from the land side are reinforced by English fortifications and the North and South Batteries, while the Royal Naval squadron in the Charles River and Boston Harbor lashes the American flank and rear with enfilading fire. Norman’s geometry of approach vectors and fields of fire renders the peninsula’s constricted topography a protagonist—showing why the fight was both costly to the British and galvanizing to the Americans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEqually compelling is the portrait of a living town caught in calamity. Charlestown in flames is shown with devastating immediacy—rows of buildings consumed under bombardment. Across Boston, the engraved key names a lattice of streets and civic anchors: Charter Street threading the North End; Long Wharf thrusting into the harbor; Windmill Point and the Mill Pond shaping the shoreline; School Hill and Barracks Point marking local relief and encampment sites. Significant structures—the Old North Church, Trinity Church, the Old Meeting House, the Town Hall, the Government House, the New State House, and the Academy—appear not as abstractions but as recognizable forms. The effect is to juxtapose a precise urban plan with the sudden erasure of Charlestown’s fabric, underscoring the battle’s human and municipal cost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorman’s engraving marries reportage to artistry. Buildings are crisply articulated, shorelines and causeways carefully rendered, and the keyed nomenclature brings order to chaos. Created by a craftsman known for The American Pilot, this plan embodies a moment when American cartography stepped out from English tutelage to assert its own narrative of the war. Issued in 1782, as the conflict’s outcome came into view, it offers a distinctly American vantage on events that earlier European prints treated at a remove. Its extreme rarity and early American imprint confer singular importance, but its power lies equally in the lucidity with which it interprets an unfolding battlefield.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs history, the map distills the paradox of Bunker’s Hill: a tactical British gain at extraordinary cost that fortified American morale and myth. The Charles River’s channels, the sweep of Boston Harbor, and the placement of the North and South Batteries explain how artillery and tide boxed the provincials even as their redoubt held. From Windmill Point to the North Battery, from the Work House to the Government House, one can trace the intertwined paths of soldiers and citizens, of maneuver and municipal life. This plan reads as tactical study, urban elegy, and national prologue—an indispensable witness to the day Boston’s environs announced the war’s terrible seriousness and the colonies’ unshakable resolve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlaces on this map\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBunker’s Hill\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCharlestown\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCharles River\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoston Harbor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSchool Hill\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmerican Fortifications\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnglish Fortifications\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBarracks Point\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAcademy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMill Pond\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNorth and South Batteries\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNew State House\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCharter Street\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOld Meeting House\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTrinity Church\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWork House\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGovernment House\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNorth Battery\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong Wharf\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWindmill Point\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNotable Features \u0026amp; Landmarks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBunker’s Hill: Position of American troops and redoubt\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCharlestown in Flames: Indication of destruction from British bombardment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmerican Forces: Notable placement of troops under William Prescott and Israel Putnam\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBritish Regular Troops: Shown advancing towards American positions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoyal Naval Squadron: Boats depicted in Charles River and Boston Harbor firing upon American lines\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMajor Streets: Key streets labeled, showing urban planning of Boston at the time\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSignificant Structures: The Old North Church, Town Hall, and other prominent buildings marked\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKey Landmarks: Including Windmill Point and various historic churches and meeting houses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArtistic Features: The cartography presents a detailed rendering of buildings and landscape\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorical and design context\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTitle: Plan of the Town of Boston, with the Attack on Bunker's Hill, in the Peninsula of Charlestown the 17th of June 1775.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMapmaker: Created by John Norman in 1782.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHistorical Significance: First printed map of the Battle of Bunker’s Hill; extremely rare American engraved plan.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContext about Mapmaker: John Norman was among the first important American mapmakers post-Independence, known for the American Pilot and transitioning from English to American cartography.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThemes and Topics: Depicts the ongoing Battle of Bunker’s Hill, British troop movements, American defenses, and the destruction of Charlestown from bombardment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGeographical Coverage: Entire area of Boston and Charlestown, Massachusetts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDesign and Style: Historically thematic, featuring an engraved key that names significant locations and streets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHistorical Context: Captures a pivotal moment in the Revolutionary War, highlighting military strategies and urban destruction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlease double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eget in touch\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThis map is taller than most, which would make it a perfect statement piece in a panelled room, on a gallery wall, or perhaps alongside another tall piece of art or furniture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/all-old-vintage-antique-maps\"\u003ebest old maps\u003c\/a\u003e to see if something else catches your eye.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlease \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003econtact me\u003c\/a\u003e to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex\/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"12x18in (30x45cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58258610160000,"sku":"UM00295800A","price":41.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x18in (30x45cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58258610192768,"sku":"UM00295801A","price":111.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x18in (30x45cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58258610225536,"sku":"UM00295802A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"14x24in (36x60cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58258610258304,"sku":"UM00295803A","price":77.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"14x24in (36x60cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58258610291072,"sku":"UM00295804A","price":170.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"14x24in (36x60cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58258610323840,"sku":"UM00295805A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58258610356608,"sku":"UM00295806A","price":93.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58258610389376,"sku":"UM00295807A","price":255.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58258610422144,"sku":"UM00295808A","price":287.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x45in (70x114cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58258610454912,"sku":"UM00295809A","price":122.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x45in (70x114cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58258610487680,"sku":"UM00295810A","price":500.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x45in (70x114cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58258610520448,"sku":"UM00295811A","price":500.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x50in (70x127cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58258610553216,"sku":"UM00295812A","price":223.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x50in (70x127cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58258610585984,"sku":"UM00295813A","price":930.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x50in (70x127cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58258610618752,"sku":"UM00295814A","price":930.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"37x60in (94x150cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58258610651520,"sku":"UM00295815A","price":297.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"37x60in (94x150cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58258610684288,"sku":"UM00295816A","price":1489.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"37x60in (94x150cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58258610717056,"sku":"UM00295817A","price":1489.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"39x70in (99x178cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58258610749824,"sku":"UM00295818A","price":489.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"39x70in (99x178cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58258610782592,"sku":"UM00295819A","price":1994.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"39x70in (99x178cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58258610815360,"sku":"UM00295820A","price":1994.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0257\/0344\/8638\/files\/file_67d77d13-41d0-4afe-9ac9-62c55e96a0ed.jpg?v=1781264578","url":"https:\/\/uniquemaps.eu\/products\/old-battle-map-of-bunker-hill-by-norman-1782-boston-harbor-charles-river-charlestown-north-battery-long-wharf","provider":"The Unique Maps Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}