Antique Maps and Prints of Historic Virginia.
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
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 VIRGINIA
The article below was written in 1885 and makes interesting reading.
Topography: The greatest length of Virginia east and west is about 440 miles; greatest breadth north and south, 190 miles; area, 42,450 square miles, or 27,168,000 acres. The Shenandoah, Alleghany and Cumberland mountains extend along the West Virginia border from Harper's Ferry to the Tennessee line.
The six great topographical divisions are known as the Tidewater, Middle, Piedmont, Blue Ridge, Valley and Appalachian sections, all of which extend across the State from northeast to southwest, and have a general trend corresponding to that of the Atlantic coast and the Appalachian range.
More than three-fourths of Virginia is drained by the Potomac, Rappahannock, Rapidan, York, Elizabeth, James, and their tributaries, all of which find their way at last to the Atlantic.
Climate: Owing to the differences in elevation and situation, the climate of Virginia varies greatly in the several sections.
The mean annual temperature is from 55º to 60º on the sea coast, and from 48º to 52º Fahrenheit in the Blue Ridge and Appalachian districts.
Observations taken at Lynchburg give the mean temperature at different seasons as follows: Spring, 51º summer, 75º; autumn, 55º; winter, 40º; the year, 56.5º Fahrenheit.
There is an abundant rainfall, the annual precipitation being from forty-four to fifty-five inches, most rain falling in the southeast.
History: The first permanent settlement by the English in America was made within the limits of the present State. The earliest settlement was made at Jamestown, in 1607.
From 1609 there were constant accessions to the colony, although troubles with the Indians and misgovernment hindered the prosperity of the settlements. In 1624 the London company was dissolved and Virginia became directly subject to the crown.
In 1676 occurred what was known as "Bacon's rebellion," the inciting causes being the high rate of taxes and the governor's attempts to restrict the franchise. In 1699 Williamsburg was founded, and the general assembly met there in 1700.
In the war with the French, which broke out in 1754, Virginia took an active part. Throughout the Revolution the State bore a prominent part. In the summer of 1779 the British destroyed Norfolk, and in 1781 Richmond was captured and burnt.
The siege of Yorktown was commenced Sept. 28, 1781, and on October 19 Cornwallis surrendered with 8,000 men and over 100 cannon, and this victory practically secured the independence of the United States. A State constitution was adopted in 1776, and the constitution of the United States was ratified June 25, 1788. Richmond became the capital in 1779.
There was at first great division of opinion in regard to secession, but with the firing on Sumter and in reply to the president's call for troops the ordinance of secession was passed. On May 7 Virginia joined the Confederacy, and in the same month the capital of the Confederate States was transferred from Montgomery, Ala., to Richmond.
The State authorities seized the navy yard at Norfolk, the United States arsenal at Harper's Ferry, the custom house at Richmond, and nearly all other Federal property in Virginia. From the breaking out of the war Virginia was almost constantly the scene of military operations.
The most important battle in the State in 1861 was that of Bull Run. The Federals began an advance on Richmond early in the spring of 1862. A number of engagements took place which resulted in averting the attack on Richmond, and the withdrawal of the Union forces under McClellan to the Potomac.
The second battle of Bull Run took place August 29-30, which resulted in the defeat of the Federals. In May, 1864, Gen. Grant assumed command of the army of the Potomac, and began another advance on Richmond. Then followed the engagements in the Wilderness, the second battle of Cold Harbor, and Gen. Sheridan's operations in the Shenandoah valley.
The siege of Petersburg began in June, 1864, and ended by the evacuation of the Confederates, April, 1865. This was followed by Lee's surrender at Appomatox Court House, April 9, which virtually closed the war. In 1869 a new constitution was adopted, and in October of this year the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments were ratified. On Jan. 26, 1870, Virginia was readmitted into the Union.
Population: Census of 1880: Males, 745,589; Females, 766,976; Native, 1,497,869; Foreign, 14,696; White, 880,858; Colored, 631,707, including 6 Chinese, and 85 Indians and Half-breeds.
VIEW OF RICHMOND FROM THE JAMES
Published by Bryant - 1872/+
ANTIQUARIAN MAP OF VIRGINIA
Published by Encyclopaedia Britannica - 1880
INTERESTING LINKS
OTHER POSTAPRINT US STATES FEATURE PAGES
Virginia Cities Information Links
Contributions and suggestions for additional links would be most welcome.
After very many years in the Trade,
I am now
retired and the
Postaprint Website
as such is no longer available.
However this large collection of Reference Pages
is being
left on line, as we hope you will find them to informative and helpful. They
provide details of many of the maps, books and engravings we had the pleasure of dealing in over so
many years.
For a complete index of all
such Reference Pages PLEASE DO CLICK
HERE.
However,
my wife has a
store on eBay, with
many offers of delightful antiquarian maps & prints
& engravings.
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!
Specialist mail order suppliers of collectible historical antique maps and engravings.