One of the Earliest American-Printed Maps of Maryland and Delaware
Attractive and uncommon map of Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C., published in Boston by Jedidiah Morse in 1796. The map shows early roads, townships, rivers, and more, and provides a fantastic look at the region during the early statehood period.
Also shown on the map are county borders and the beginnings of the Appalachians. Washington appears in its diamond-shaped layout, with Georgetown marked and the organized structure of the city represented. An inset map shows the Maryland Panhandle and Allegany county.
This copperplate engraving first appeared in Morses' The American Universal Geography, one of the earliest American-published atlases.
Jedidiah Morse (1761–1826) was a pioneering American geographer, often called the "father of American geography." A Congregational minister by profession, he is best known for his influential geographical publications, including Geography Made Easy (1784) and The American Universal Geography (1793), which were among the first comprehensive geographical works published in the United States. His books shaped early American understanding of geography and cartography, providing a crucial reference for educators and mapmakers. Morse's work laid the groundwork for geographic education in America, and his emphasis on detailed maps helped standardize cartographic practices during a formative period for the young nation.