C21.6  Fisher, Samuel B.  Map of the First And Second Anthracite Coal Fields.  Samuel B. Fisher, Pottsville, 1836.  First edition, 32 segments on original linen with marbled outer panels, lithograph with outline color, 45” x 86”.    Some toning and soiling, several folds reinforced on verso with modern linen tape, overall nearly fine or better.  Not in Phillips Maps, Marcou or Eberstadt.  $3,200.00

An extraordinary example of early 19^th century regional industrial cartography and likely the first American work of its kind in both subject and scope.  Fisher’s monumental map became the basis for many subsequent editions through to the 20^th century with three copies of this first edition being located.  The second edition appeared in 1849, published by Robert Pearsall Smith and is in itself quite scarce as Ristow, Maps and Mapmakers, Chapter 21, makes no mention of Fisher’s map and few examples are cited.  The latest derivative of this map we have handled was a somewhat reduced version published in 1916 by Alder & Company.  Samuel Fisher also published a Plan of Pottsville in 1831 and received authorization from the state to receive copies of plats necessary to construct a map of Schuylkill County in 1843.

Fisher’s map is the culmination of the initial efforts of John Dreher in the 1820’s throughout Schuylkill County (See Item C21.3) and Fisher’s continuation of surveys in Schuylkill, Northumberland, Columbia, Luzerne and Northampton [Carbon] Counties.  This most comprehensive example of early 19^th century American thematic cartography encompasses nearly the entire are bounded by the Susquehanna, Schuylkill and Lehigh Rivers, constructed on a scale of 200 perches to an inch.  The coal fields are outlined in yellow with county lines colored in blue.  Towns and villages are displayed in grid and hachure with inset plans of Sunbury and Danville areas. Turnpike roads, railroads and canals are recorded throughout as are every land warrant with ownership and warrant number are cited.  Certainly, an incredible achievement and a virtually unrecognized major contribution to American cartography in the first half of the 19^th century.  Western portion pictured at left, detail images below.

Ref: Hazen & Hazen Geologic Literature 3849; Rumsey 4304