Check out this new addition to the Uncharted Lancaster Store—the 1875 P.W. Sheafer Map of Pennsylvania. It is an extraordinary piece of cartography that spans the Keystone State from its western border with Ohio to the eastern shores of Long Island and the Atlantic. The meticulously detailed map, published by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, offers a vivid narrative of Pennsylvania’s development over time. Size: 36″ x 24″
With color-coded regions, key battle sites, and annotations of shifting borders, this map is not just a visual delight but a vital historical resource. It even highlights the location of ancient petroglyphs at Safe Harbor (shown below), adding a unique layer to the story of Pennsylvania’s past.
Perfect for history enthusiasts and collectors alike, this map captures the evolution of Pennsylvania in stunning detail. Own a piece of history and see how Pennsylvania has changed over the centuries.
Official Title
A historical map of Pennsylvania showing the Indian names of streams and villages, and paths of travel, the sites of old forts and battlefields, the successive purchases from the Indians, and the names and dates of counties and county towns, with tables of forts and proprietary manors.
Description
This 1875 P.W. Sheafer map of Pennsylvania offers a meticulously detailed depiction of the state, spanning from its western border with Ohio to the eastern reaches of New Jersey, Long Island, and the Atlantic Ocean, and from the northern border with New York to the southern boundaries with Maryland and West Virginia. The map is historically significant, offering an intricate narrative of Pennsylvania’s development over time. Captions throughout the map highlight key battle sites and document the shifting borders between colonies and states. The various regions within Pennsylvania are color-coded to represent the state’s territorial acquisitions, making the state’s evolution readily apparent.
Published by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, established in 1824, this map serves as a vital historical resource, reflecting the society’s dedication to preserving and documenting the rich history of the state.
Peter Wenrick Sheafer
Peter Wenrick Sheafer (March 31, 1819 – March 26, 1891) was a renowned civil and mining engineer from Pottsville, Pennsylvania, best known for his influential maps of the state. Born in Dauphin County, PA, Sheafer pursued his engineering studies in New York. In 1838, he played a pivotal role in conducting the first geological survey of Pennsylvania, focusing on the region known as Second Mountain, within the southern Anthracite coal fields. By 1848, Sheafer had established himself in Pottsville, the heart of Pennsylvania’s mining industry.
With state backing, Sheafer continued his survey work in 1849, collaborating with Robert P. Smith to produce a significant large-scale map of the Anthracite Fields. His mapping career also included the 1855 Map of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. In 1863, Sheafer published the first edition of his Official Coal, Iron, Railroad, and Canal Map of Pennsylvania, which gained widespread popularity and was featured in the state’s official document, Reports of the Several Railroad Companies of Pennsylvania, communicated by the Auditor General to the Legislature. Updated versions of this map continued to appear in Auditor General’s reports until around 1870.
Sheafer’s Historical Map of Pennsylvania was first published in 1873 and later reissued by The Historical Society of Pennsylvania in 1875, accompanied by a 28-page booklet of historical information. Sheafer passed away at a health spa in Brown’s Mills, New Jersey, near Atlantic City.
Product Information
Museum-quality posters made on thick matte paper. Add a wonderful accent to your room and office with these posters that are sure to brighten any environment.
These reproductions are brand new and perfect for framing, but some of the scanned originals contained small tears and watermark damage. Many have been digitally removed, although some remain. However, these imperfections bring a sense of wabi-sabi to these beautiful posters.
• Size: 36″ x 24″
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan
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