West Indies

This collection of historic maps date from 1675-1971, and primarily relate to the Washington and Custis families, the Revolutionary War, and society life in antebellum Washington D.C. and Virginia. Includes matching editions of maps personally owned by George Washington.

Note: surveys created by George Washington are found in the George Washington Collection.

The collection contains 26 maps of the New World, dating 1541-1778, which illustrate the progression of European geographic knowledge about Virginia and North America from the 16th through the 18th centuries

The collection contains 26 maps of the New World, dating 1541-1778, which illustrate the progression of European geographic knowledge about Virginia and North America from the 16th through the 18th centuries

"Europeans had a more precise understanding of North America and the Caribbean by the early 18th century. Guillaume De L’Isle drew on earlier French expeditions into the continental interior to create the first accurate map of the Mississippi River. His use of color falsely implies fixed borders between competing European and indigenous peoples." -- Mapping the “New World”: Highlights from the Paul Schott Stevens Collection

Sheet six of Green's A chart of North and South America, including the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with the nearest coasts of Europe, Africa and Asia. Shows nautical exploration routes. Includes text, historical and geographical notes, and tables of comparative astronomical observations.

Sheet four of Green's A chart of North and South America, including the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with the nearest coasts of Europe, Africa and Asia. Shows nautical exploration routes. Includes text, historical and geographical notes, and tables of comparative astronomical observations.