Map book of Emily Draper: "A Book of Maps executed by Emily Draper. Greenfield, M[a]ss., 1822"

DRAPER, EMILY

A BOOK OF MAPS EXECUTED BY EMILY DRAPER. GREENFIELD, M[A]SS., 1822

Manuscript map book (8 3/4 x 7 in.; 222 x 179 mm), finely executed in pen and ink, 56 leaves, including calligraphic title-page, 32 pages of calligraphic text and map-titles, and 19 full-page maps, 13 partially handcolored in outline, most with very fine figural or ornamental title-cartouches, some blank leaves evidently reserved for never-completed maps; occasional minor browning or staining. Contemporary red-morocco-backed marbled boards; shaken, with a number of leaves loose, rather worn.

A remarkable example of cartographic schoolgirl art. A note on the front free endpaper explains, "Map Book of Emily Draper. (Wife of John P. Haven) born Dec 6, 1803. died July 20, 1865. She was aged seventeen [sic] when she executed the work in this book in 1822. Gift of her daughter, Mrs. Emily Haven Conaut, wife of Judge Chester C. Conaut."

The maps depict the United States, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.