Phelps & Ensign
Map of The World, On Mercators Projection
Ensign & Thayer, 50 Ann Street, New York: 1851 (publishers, revised edition)
Phelps & Ensign, New York: 1841 (copyright)
Hand colored engraving, backed on linen
32.5 x 45.5 inches, overall
29.25 x 42 inches, image size to printed border
Price on Request
Mercator Projection World Map
Allegorical Borders, 1851
Allegorical Borders, 1851
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American wall map of the world on Mercator's Projection. Each of the four corners is decorated with a rectangular allegorical engraving of one of the four major continents, showing native peoples, flora, fauna, and an outline map. The border of repeating naturalistic sea shells surrounds a secondary border of flags of the world. Colored in tones of green, yellow, pink, red, and blue.
The United States is shown with relatively early western cartography, many territories shown. This is the 1851 revised edition by Ensign & Thayer. It updates the 1845 revised edition of the map by T. & E.H. Ensign, copyrighted by Phelps and Ensign in 1841.
The publishing firm Humphrey Phelps (also known as Phelps, Humphrey) operated in New York City from the 1830s to the 1850s, at various times co-publishing work with Ensign & Thayer. They produced maps, prints and books, and are known for the “Phelps Guides” series of folding maps and wall maps for travelers, which Phelps began producing in 1838. Timothy and Edward Ensign were partners in a New York City lithography firm that worked in various associations and alignments with Humphrey Phelps, B.W. Thayer, the Kelloggs, Bridgman and Fanning between 1841 and 1861, producing prints and maps.
Condition: Generally very good, recently professionally conserved – old varnish layer removed, scattered small short tears and abrasions repaired, laid on linen, ribbon selvedge applied to sides. Lightly discolored with traces of old varnish and soft creases – but overall very good and quite attractive.
Reference:
Peters, Harry T. America on Stone. U.S.: Doubleday, Doran, 1931. pp. 181, 325.