Antique Maps and Prints of Historic Pennsylvania.
This short
REFERENCE PAGE is designed to provide no more than a 'glimpse' of
the history of the State,
with a couple of examples of antiquarian maps and engravings and some interesting Links.
This Page is provided as a REFERENCE
RESOURCE - it is NOT an Inventory.
Genuine original antiquarian maps and
authentic historical engravings, printed at the dates stated.
We do NOT deal in modern reproductions.
We supply genuine
historical maps and prints by mail order - all are eminently suitable for framing and
are offered On Approval, which
GUARANTEES
YOUR ENTIRE SATISFACTION!
Look us over, but don't
overlook us.
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
The article below was written in 1885 and makes interesting reading.
Topography: The greatest length of Pennsylvania east and west is 303 miles; greatest width north and south, 176 miles; mean length, 280 miles; mean breadth, 158 miles; area, 45,215 square miles, or 28,937,600 acres.
That part of Pennsylvania between the Blue mountains and the Delaware river rises from a few feet above tidewater at Philadelphia, to nearly a thousand feet at the base of the hills, the ascent being gradual. The country is one of great beauty.
The Cumberland valley forms a part of the great depression which extends through the entire length of the Appalachian system as far south as Alabama. The mountain belt of the State is bounded east and west by the Kittatinny and Alleghany mountains.
The third great division of the State is the extensive elevated table land which occupies about one-half its area, and extends from the western slope of the Alleghanies to the Ohio border.
The Susquehanna drains nearly one-half the area of the State. Its chief tributary is the Juniata. The Delaware, which rises in the Catskill mountains in New York, is a tidal stream 132 miles from the sea, at Trenton.
The Alleghany rises in the "oil country," and at Pittsburgh forms a junction with the Monongahela.
The Ohio, below their junction, is a great thoroughfare for steam navigation.
Climate: The temperature of the southern and eastern divisions of the State differs considerably from that of the north, and of the portion west of the mountains.
In the Alleghany, central and northern uplands, the winters are severe and protracted, with heavy falls of snow.
Along the Delaware the summer temperature often ranges from 90º to 100º Fahrenheit, and the valleys of the Susquehanna and Juniata have a climate closely resembling that of the valley of the Rhine, the summer heat being prolonged far into October.
West of the mountains the summers are shorter and hot; the winters cold.
The average fall of rain and snow is from thirty-six to forty-five inches, varying in different parts of the State.
The climate is healthy; and vegetation is about a week earlier than in New York State.
History: The first permanent settlements in Pennsylvania were made by Swedish immigrants, who established a colony at what is now the city of Chester in 1638.
The Dutch in 1655 sent out an armed force, which captured the Swedish forts and settlements, and they became part of the New Netherlands. The English conquered the territory in 1664, and the Dutch retook it in 1672, but had to give it up a few months later.
But Pennsylvania proper dates from 1681, when William Penn received a grant from Charles II. of England, of all the territory west of the Delaware. Philadelphia was founded in 1682.
During the protracted wars between France and England, 1746-60, Pennsylvania became the battle ground of the opposing forces. The battles at Braddock's Field and Fort Duquesne (now Pittsburgh) were among the most noticeable conflicts of this war, which terminated in 1764 by the total defeat of the savages.
The history of Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary war is the history of the country. The proprietary government was abolished and the State of Pennsylvania came into being in 1776. The signing of the declaration of independence and the meeting of the continental congress in Philadelphia; the defense of that city against the British forces; the battles of Germantown and Brandywine, and the terrible winter at Valley Forge, can be only thus briefly noticed here.
In 1790 a constitution was formed and State officers elected. This constitution was revised in 1838, and amended in 1850, 1857 and during the Civil war, and in 1873 a new one was adopted. Philadelphia was originally the capital, but in 1799 the seat of government was transferred to Lancaster, and in 1812 to Harrisburgh, where it still remains.
During the Civil war Pennsylvania furnished in all 337,930 men to the Federal army. The State was thrice invaded by the Confederate forces - the first time in 1862, and the last in July, 1864, when the town of Chambersburgh was almost totally destroyed.
The great battle of the war fought on Pennsylvania soil was the three-days fight at Gettysburgh, July 1, 2, 3, 1863, which resulted in the defeat of General Robert E. Lee, and his withdrawal through Maryland into Virginia.
Population: Census of 1880: Males, 2,136,655; Females, 2,146,236; Native, 3,695,062; Foreign, 587,829; White, 4,197,016; Colored, 85,875, including 148 Chinese, 8 Japanese, and 184 Indians and Half-breeds.
VIEW IN PHILADELPHIA
Published in the Illustrated London News in 1876.
ANTIQUARIAN MAP OF PENNSYLVANIA
Published by Armstrong - 1891
INTERESTING LINKS
OTHER POSTAPRINT US STATES FEATURE PAGES
Contributions and suggestions for additional links would be most welcome.
Before I retired,
Postaprint supplied picture framers and antiquarian map & print dealers
for over 25 years. The inventory
encompassed examples of the
cartographer's art from the 16th to the 19th century, along with
topographical engravings, lithographs and etchings by
leading artists of their generation. You can Search
my wife's eBay Store Database for historic maps,
views, and engravings on virtually every subject,
including Vanity Fair (Spy) Cartoons. All our offers are genuine
old and historical items on a wide range of subjects.
All are
suitable for framing by Art Galleries, Shops and Fine Art Retailers.
Do visit my wife's eBay Store
SOME INTERESTING & UNUSUAL GIFT IDEAS FROM JULIE
DO VISIT MY EBAY SHOP
FOR UNUSUAL IDEAS FOR PRESENTS
Perhaps a map or print of somewhere important in
someone's life. For example, where
they were born, got married, went on honeymoon etc. I do have a wide selection
of topographical views and historical maps.
America's,
UK,
Europe,
Asia,
Africa,
Australia,
The World, Etc.
...Or do a search for their last name, you will be surprised
what you might discover!
