Map of Washington, D.C.
William J. Stone: 1852

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Rare Large mid 19th Century Map of Washington D.C.
detail detail: cartouche detail
William J. Stone (1798-1865) (engraver)
Map of The City of Washington in The District of Columbia Established as the Permanent Seat of the Government of the United States of America
W.J. Stone: 1852
Black-and-white engraving
23.5 x 30.5 inches, image
27.5 x 34.25 inches, overall
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Unusually large detailed grid map of Washington, D.C. in the mid 19th Century, including a table of references indicating churches, schools, government buildings, and other notable public locations.

The plans shown are based on the original design of French engineer Pierre-Charles L'Enfant, commissioned by President George Washington in 1790. L'Enfant submitted his plan in August of 1791. The design was influenced by Baroque landscape architecture and the projection of a population of 800,000. The city plan consisted of the use of a square grid system scattered with radiating avenues resembling the spokes of a wheel that came together at significant focal points. L'Enfant was succeeded by Andrew Ellicott in the development of the nation's capital.

William J. Stone was a prominent Washington, D.C., engraver and printer of maps. He is perhaps best known for producing a facsimile copperplate engraved copy of the original Declaration of Independence, including the signatures. He received the commission from Secretary of State John Quincy Adams in 1820, and worked on it for three years. Stone was born in London and arrived in the United States in 1804. He was educated in Pennsylvania and studied engraving under Peter Maverick, settling in Washington in 1815.

References:

Dube, Ann Marie. "Endnotes: A Multitude of Amendments, Alterations and Additions." Park Net, National Park Service. 17 January 2003. http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/dube/inde17.htm (10 April 2003).

"Today in History Archive: A Capital City." Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jul16.html (10 April 2003).

"The City of Washington, D.C." D.C. City Pages. 1996. http://dcpages.ari.net/Hwdc/wdc.html (10 April 2003).

"William J. Stone, Printer and Engraver." Virtualology.com. 2000. http://www.virtualology.com/virtualmuseumofhistory/rebelswithavision.com/WilliamJStone.com/ (10 April 2003).