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Lake Champlain/ American Revolution. BRAS(S)IER, William/ SAYER, R. & BENNETT, J. [London: August 5, 1776, but not before November, 1776] A Survey Of Lake Champlain, including Lake George, Crown Point And St. John. . . . [Inset:] A Particular Plan of Lake George . . . 25 7/8 x 18 ¾ inches. Fine original outline and wash color; excellent condition. An excellent example of the first separate maps of Lake Champlain and Lake George, in the preferred second state that was the earliest to include an illustrated, sequential account of the pivotal Battle of Valcour Island, fought on Lake Champlain in October of 1776. This was the first naval battle of the American Revolution, during which then American General Benedict Arnold distinguished himself. The makeshift American fleet created under Arnold’s command turned back a much larger and more heavily armed British fleet. This critical engagement was instrumental in upsetting the British strategy for the conquest or at least isolation of the Northeast early in the war. The plan depicts the routes of the ships involved in the battle fought along Lake Champlain and lists in detail the kinds and names of vessels involved. Tooley, Mapping of America, p. 65, no. 25b; Nebenzahl, Atlas of the American Revolution, pp. 61-63, no. 9; Nebenzahl, Bibliography, no. 46.
The depiction of Lake Champlain had been highly distorted on maps of New England until well into the 18th century. This map with its remarkable precision and detail was huge leap in the mapping of the lake. Many small islands and inlets are delineated on it, and even the topography of the shoreline has been carefully represented. The map is also a premier example of English engraving of the second half of the 18th century, which is notable for its fine evocation of topography. At lower right is an inset of Lake George, on which is shown Fort William Henry, as well as lime kilns and a brick yard.
Price: $6,500.00