Rare Old Map of New York by J.H. Colton, 1874: New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, Syracuse

This extraordinary piece of cartographic history is a meticulously detailed map of New York, created in 1874 by J.H. Colton, widely recognized as the premier American mapmaker of his time. This map provides a unique snapshot of the region's geography and settlement patterns at a time when the United States was still in its infancy. It is an exceptional opportunity to own a piece of history, offering a glimpse into the evolution of this dynamic region over the past 150 years.

In the mid-19th century, many of the settlements we know today were yet to be founded, and the borders and names of those that did exist have likely changed significantly. This map, therefore, serves not only as a beautiful work of art but also as a fascinating historical document, charting the growth and development of one of the most populous states in the U.S.

The map highlights five notable settlements that existed in New York in 1855. These include New York City, already a bustling metropolis, Buffalo, a key gateway to the west, Rochester, an emerging industrial hub, Albany, the state capital, and Syracuse, a vital transportation and manufacturing center. Each settlement is intricately detailed, providing a wealth of information about the early urban landscapes of these cities.

This map is a testament to Colton's unparalleled skill and precision. His commitment to accuracy and detail is evident in every aspect of this map, from the intricate border designs to the carefully plotted city streets and natural features. Colton's maps are renowned for their beauty and craftsmanship, and this map of New York is no exception.

The map also offers a fascinating insight into the socio-political climate of the time. It reflects a period of rapid growth and change in the United States, with the country still recovering from the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution transforming cities and towns across the nation. This map captures this pivotal moment in history, offering a unique perspective on the past.

In conclusion, this 1874 map of New York by J.H. Colton is more than just a map - it's a window into the past, a piece of art, and a historical document all in one. It's a must-have for any collector of historical maps or anyone with an interest in the history of New York or the United States. It's not just a map - it's a journey through time, a journey that tells the story of a nation in the making.

Notable Settlements within the Historical Boundaries of New York

1. New York City (1624): Originally known as New Amsterdam, it became a major trading city under British rule. It's now the most populous city in the United States.
2. Albany (1614): Originally known as Fort Nassau, it's notable for being the oldest continuous settlement in the original thirteen English colonies.
3. Buffalo (1789): Known for its strategic location on Lake Erie, it became a bustling grain and steel port.
4. Rochester (1817): Known as the Flour City in the 19th century, it was one of the largest flour-producing cities in the United States.
5. Syracuse (1825): Known for its salt production, it was a significant contributor to the Erie Canal project.
6. Yonkers (1646): Originally a Dutch settlement, it played a key role in the early industrial development of New York.
7. Ithaca (1800): Known for its scenic beauty, it's home to Cornell University, founded in 1865.
8. Schenectady (1661): Known as "the place beyond the pines," it was a major hub for the American railroad industry.
9. Poughkeepsie (1686): Known as the "Queen City of the Hudson," it's home to Vassar College, founded in 1861.
10. Newburgh (1709): Known for its architecture, it's home to a number of historic buildings and landmarks.
11. Utica (1773): Known for its textile industry, it was a significant center of manufacturing during the 19th century.
12. Binghamton (1802): Known for its cigar manufacturing, it was a major industrial center in the 19th century.
13. Kingston (1652): Known as the first capital of New York, it's home to a number of historic buildings.
14. Troy (1787): Known for its iron and steel production, it was a significant industrial center in the 19th century.
15. Niagara Falls (1808): Known for its hydroelectric power, it's home to one of the world's most famous waterfalls.
16. Elmira (1808): Known for its prison camp during the Civil War, it's home to the Elmira Correctional Facility.
17. Cooperstown (1786): Known for its baseball history, it's home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
18. Plattsburgh (1785): Known for the Battle of Plattsburgh during the War of 1812, it's home to the Plattsburgh Air Force Base.
19. Saratoga Springs (1819): Known for its mineral springs, it's a popular tourist destination.
20. Hudson (1785): Known for its whaling industry, it's home to a number of historic buildings.

Indian Tribes within the Historical Boundaries of New York

• Iroquois Confederacy: Also known as the Five Nations, it included the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca tribes.
• Algonquin: A group of tribes living in the northeastern United States, including parts of New York.
• Lenape: Also known as the Delaware Indians, they were originally based in what is now New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, and southern New York.

Notable Natural Phenomena

• Hudson River: Named after Henry Hudson, it's a major waterway in the eastern United States.
• Adirondack Mountains: Known for their scenic beauty, they're a popular destination for outdoor activities.
• Niagara Falls: One of the world's most famous waterfalls, it's a major tourist attraction.
• Finger Lakes: Known for their wine production, they're a popular destination for wine tasting.
• Catskill Mountains: Known for their scenic beauty, they're a popular destination for hiking and fishing.

Historical Events (1810-1874)

• War of 1812 (1812-1815): A significant conflict between the United States and the United Kingdom, it included several battles in New York.
• Erie Canal (1825): A major engineering project that significantly improved transportation in the northeastern United States.
• Seneca Falls Convention (1848): The first women's rights convention, it marked the start of the women's suffrage movement in the United States.
• Draft Riots (1863): A series of violent disturbances in New York City that were the culmination of working-class discontent with new laws passed by Congress to draft men to fight in the ongoing Civil War.
• Opening of the Brooklyn Bridge (1874): A major milestone in New York's history, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time.

Please 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.

This map looks great at all sizes: 18x12in (46x30.5cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x36in (61x91.5cm), 30x45in (76x114.5cm), 33x50in (84x127cm), 40x60in (102x153cm) and 47x70in (120x178cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 100in (254cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (61x91.5cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

The labels on this map are very small at 12x16in (30.5x41cm). The map is still very attractive, but you may struggle to read the smallest letters. Please buy a larger map if it's important to be able to read the map easily.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of USA and North America maps.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This 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.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.