1795 RARE MAINE HISTORY. Sullivan's History of Maine w/Rare Map & Important Provenance.
1795 RARE MAINE HISTORY. Sullivan's History of Maine w/Rare Map & Important Provenance.
1795 RARE MAINE HISTORY. Sullivan's History of Maine w/Rare Map & Important Provenance.
1795 RARE MAINE HISTORY. Sullivan's History of Maine w/Rare Map & Important Provenance.
1795 RARE MAINE HISTORY. Sullivan's History of Maine w/Rare Map & Important Provenance.
1795 RARE MAINE HISTORY. Sullivan's History of Maine w/Rare Map & Important Provenance.

1795 RARE MAINE HISTORY. Sullivan's History of Maine w/Rare Map & Important Provenance.

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$1,250.00

Sullivan's History of the District of Maine is a very desirable volume whenever it retains its original map, it being the earliest quality map of Maine extant. Aside from even its general rarity, this particular example, because of its interesting provenance, sits right at the heart of the history of the then-district of Maine and is a lovely piece of Americana.

During the 18th century, the District of Maine was involved in a large-scale land grab controversy. One of the most significant players was The Plymouth Company, later known as The Kennebeck Purchase Company, Kennebec Proprietors, or The Proprietors of the Kennebeck Purchase from the late Colony of New Plymouth. Organized in 1749, they were one of several groups vying for ownership of significant tracts of land in Maine both before and after the American Revolution. Conflicting and overlapping land grants, fierce competition, and a virtual plague of squatters created a dynamic and highly litigated landscape. In the end, the Plymouth Company acquired nearly 1,500 square mile region on both sides of the Kennebec River, making them, I believe, the largest stakeholders in Maine. 

The present example was the copy owned by the Plymouth Company / Kennebec Proprietors, and so-inscribed on multiple pages. Fascinatingly, there are a few marginal side bars in early sepia ink which tend to organize around sections related to land grants, and a note on the pastedown references the rightness of Governor Sullivan's assessments, etc., 

Additionally, the map itself is in an unusually fine state of preservation with only minor foxing and a small, closed tear at the attachment hinge. 

Sullivan, James [Governor]. The History of the District of Maine. Illustrated by a New Correct Map of the District. Boston. Printed by I[saiah] Thomas and E. T. Andrews, Faust's Statue, No. 45. Newbury Street. 1795. iv + 421pp.

Binding fair only with boards detached. With the provenance to pastedown, we have retained as it is. Should the purchaser wish to respine, rebind, or have a box made, we are happy to help facilitate. The map itself is in exceptionally good condition. Textually nice and clean, slightly tender, a few early period marks in margins.  

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