Primitive Pieces

Spectacular ‘Mad’ Anthony Wayne Signed Pre-War Survey

Map or Draught of the Land late of Thomas Robinson Esq^r Dec^dSituate in the County of Chester and Province of Pennsylvania and now Pursuant to the annex’d Writ Divided by his heirs agreeable to the Under written Partition / Survey of 1773 / Ant^y Wayne

Pen, ink and watercolor on a single vellum membrane, 25” x 30”, map 9” x 25.5”. Pristine condition with bright color.

Prior to his service in the Revolutionary War, Anthony was a highly respected Chester County, Pennsylvania surveyor. Wayne’s survey expertise attracted the attention of Benjamin Franklin who employed Wayne in 1765 to survey a large tract of land in Nova Scotia purchased by Franklin and others. This Nova Scotia survey map is part of the Anthony Wayne Papers preserved at the Library of Congress and the only other such example of his cartographic work according to OCLC records.

1722 Map of the First Indian Purchase in Somerset Co, NJ

Map and Indenture Partitioning the Lands of Phillip French in the Province of East Jersey, County of Somersett [sic].

Elizabeth, NJ, William Mackdowell & others, 1722. Pen, ink and gouache on vellum, 3 interleaved membranes two of which are 26” x 31” and one map measuring 15” x 13”. Four wax seals intact, docketed on verso “Secretar [sic] Office / Perth Amboy 1723 / Recorded in Libres D No. 2 Fol. 7 lo. 13. Nearly pristine condition overall.

1790's Land Fever Speculation in Pennsylvania - John Adlum & James Chapman

A Draft of Different Tracts of Land in Luzerne County, State of Pennsylvania. Surveyed for the Honourable[sic] James Wilson, Esq^r. & Henry Drinker, Esq^r.

Manuscript, John Adlum & James Chapman, no place cited but likely Sunbury, Pa., 1796-7. Ink and watercolor on 2 joined folio sheets of laid paper bearing Whatman watermarks, dissected into 10 panels and mounted on contemporary linen, 24.5” x 34.5”. Light dampstains, slight paper loss and age toning along folds, very good overall.

Rare Pictorial Route Map

Black Valley Railroad.

Boston, C.H. Crosby, 1863. 1^st edition 1^st state, folio, chromolithograph, 15” x 15.8”. Top and bottom margins trimmed close, otherwise fine.

Rare first state of Stedman Wright’s masterful composition lithographed in colors

Important Land Claim Map, Yankee-Pennamite Wars

Township of Willksbarr [sic] and Vicinity

No place cited but likely Wilkes Barre,Pa: 1790-1802. Four joined sheets backed on linen, pen, ink and watercolor on mould-made paper, 40.5” x 30.5”. Some staining and light browning, few small losses, overall very good or better. Item #100254

A Model Colonial American Settlement

A View of Bethlehem, one of the Brethren’s Principal Settlements, in Pennsylvania, North America.

London, Robert Sayer, 1757/1825. Folio, hand colored engraving, 12.7” x 17.6”. Old paper backing, margins trimmed but ample, overall nearly fine.

Primitive Pieces has been providing collector’s and institutions rare & esoteric printed and manuscript Americana since 1995. We publish regular printed catalogs and welcome new suscribers to request addition to our mailing list. In addition, we appreciate opportunities to acquire single items or complete collections.