Travellers Map of Long Island - 1857

Title: Travellers Map of Long Island 
Artist/Publisher: J.H. Colton & Co., 1857, c.1855
Date:  1855
Map Type: Reproduction from Original Hand Colored Lithograph  
Size:  35" x 14.25"
Approx. Original Size: 24" x 10"
Description:  Pocket map of Long Island, reproduced from an original hand colored atlas map, showing counties with railroads and major roads depicted.  Shows all boundries including, New Jersey, Staten Island, New York City and the Connecticut coastline.  Originally a pocket map which folded to about a 3 x 5" size to fit in a leather cover.  Remnants of the fold lines are present thoughout the map.
Long Island was among the first areas in the New World reached by European settlers. The town of Southampton on the eastern tip was settled in 1640. The island and its coast were mapped in the 18th century by the British up to the time of the Revolutionary War.   During the Revolution Long Island was occupied by the British.  By the end of the 19th century, the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) was actively promoting travel and settlement of the island, and issued numerous maps for this purpose.  Private publishers such as the Colton family responded to this interest.
Between 1831 and 1890, perhaps 30 percent of the commercially produced railroad maps were published by the New York City publishing house established by Joseph Hutchins Colton in 1831.   Colton began by publishing maps drawn by David H. Burr in the 1830s. Colton's maps from the early 1850s to the last decade of the century, most of which were subtitled "Colton's Railroad and Township Map," surpassed in quality and quantity other maps published in the nineteenth century.  The firm was renamed G.W. & C.B. Colton in the 1860s when Colton was succeeded by his sons -- George Woolworth Colton (1827-1901) and Charles B. Colton (c. 1831-1916).  It is believed that George Colton compiled the company’s 1855 Atlas of the World and served thereafter as the firm’s principal map compiler, cartographer and engraver.  The company continued to publish maps and atlases until 1892.  Whether they were bought out or simply ceased production at that point is not known.
Historic birdseye maps and Atlas maps record the evolution of cities illustrating the development and nature of economic activities, educational and religious facilities, parks, street patterns and widths, and transportation systems.  Antique panoramics provide a fascinating glimpse into the history of towns and cities.
Fine art Giclee reproduction print of a vintage map is produced on heavy weight, matte finish, archival paper using the finest pigment inks offering excellent color and  light fastness ratings of up to 100 years.  Our maps are digitally retouched as needed but maintain the original age toning and antique nature that makes them wonderful decorative art as well as historical references.
Our maps are enlarge and reduce from the original size, we make every attempt not to distort or resize the image, therefore most prints are not exact standard sizes.  Larger sizes shipped rolled in tube.