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Presentation copy of this fine late 19th Century facsimile of one of The Nicholls Map of New York City, 1664-1668.
The Nicholls map would appear to be The Island of Manhados with inset plan of the towne of New-York, the original of which is in the British Lbrary. Named for the first English governor of New York, the original Nicolls map was made by the British between 1664 and 1668.
The British had recently captured the island and needed a map of the area that would assist in fortification plans against possible Dutch invasion. The Nicolls map depicts the topography of Manhattan and the surrounding area and was the first map of Manhattanbased upon survey information collected by the British.
The map also includes very general information, such as Manhattan's context within its surrounding areas - here labeled as "Parte of the Contenent of America" - that would become New Jersey, Brooklyn, and Queens. This broad geographic context suggests that the map was intended for use by King Charles II and his aides, who did not have close-hand knowledge of the area, rather than local administrators.
The pencil note at the bottom shows that the map was presented by the publisher to the Maine Historical Society in 1903.