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Description

Fascinating map of America, illustrating North America just prior to the official report of Lewis & Clark's expedition.

North America is shown as configured after the Louisiana Purchase, but prior to the Adams Onis Treaty of 1819.  Notably, the Upper Missouri River is shown fed by a number of speculative tributarties. These are the rivers depicted on Aaron Arrowsmith's map of North America, which was used by Lewis & Clark to evaluate the best route (via portage) across the Rocky Mountains and on to search for a watercourse to the Pacific Ocean.

The depiction of the west coast reflects the location of the major Spanish Missions.  The Columbia River is shown quite speculatively and is conflated with the Fraser River.  While Quadra & Vancouver's Island is named, the acutal island outline is not shown.

In the arctic regions, the Northwest Passage is suggested in a simple and ambitious tentative coastline in the west, with no certain passage Hudson's Bay or Baffin's Bay, although an opening northwest of Hudson's Straits is suggested.

 

 

Condition Description
Mild to moderate foxing and offsetting.
W. & D. Lizars Biography

The Lizars were a Scottish family of engravers and printers who produced many views and maps. Daniel Lizars Sr. (1754-1812) was the son of a shoemaker, but he apprenticed with Andrew Bell, a printer and engraver. Lizars set up his own printworks near St. Giles Cathedral and took on his own apprentices, including George Bartholomew, whose son John would go on to found the important mapmaking firm later know as John Bartholomew & Son Ltd.  

Daniel Sr. had three sons: Daniel Jr., John, and William Home. He also had a daughter, Jane Home. Daniel Jr. (1793-1875), the youngest of the boys, apprenticed in his father’s shop alongside George Bartholomew. When his father died in 1812, Daniel Jr. took over much of the business, expanding it and specializing in maps. The company went bankrupt in 1832, however, and Daniel emigrated to Canada.

John Lizars (1792-1860), the middle son, studied medicine and became Professor of Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, as well as senior surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

William Home Lizars (1788-1859), the eldest, also apprenticed in his father’s shop. After learning engraving, William entered the Trustees’ Academy to learn under John Graham. He was a skilled painter and artist. When his father died, and after his Daniel Jr. left, he carried on printing and invented a method of etching that looks like wood engraving.