Map of the United States with the contiguous British & Spanish Possessions announces an audacious vision in its very title. Compiled by the Scottish-born Philadelphia publisher John Melish and engraved with crystalline finesse by J. Vallance and H. S. Tanner in 1816, it is the first truly large-scale, detailed portrait of an expanding republic. A proud American eagle crowns the cartouche, signaling national confidence in the wake of the War of 1812, while the composition sweeps from the Atlantic littoral to the far western reaches. Melish marries lucid linework with rich annotation, presenting a country in motion—its coasts stitched by maritime commerce, its interior measured by rivers and ranges—yet framed by neighboring British and Spanish realms whose presence shapes every frontier.

Melish’s political geography is at once exacting and evocative. Color-coded boundaries distinguish established states from vast federal territories, and set the United States against British Canada along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence, where forts, waterways, and portages had only recently been contested. To the south and west, Spanish Florida and the provinces of New Spain—Texas, New Mexico, and California—form a continuous counterweight. Farther north and west, the Oregon country appears as an immense, lightly known expanse, a cartographic theatre for rival claims. The map’s balanced delineation of claims and jurisdictions anticipates lines later clarified by diplomacy, revealing how mapping could both record and shape the geopolitics of a continent.

The physical landscape is rendered with striking clarity. Contours and subtle shading convey the Appalachian cordillera unfurling from Georgia to Maine, while the Rocky Mountains rise as a monumental continental divide. Arteries of commerce and discovery dominate: the Mississippi bisects the map, fed by the Ohio and the newly charted Missouri, whose sinuous course reflects the intelligence of recent expeditions. Emerging towns and trails punctuate the frontier—Cincinnati and Pittsburgh on the Ohio, St. Louis at the Missouri’s mouth, Nashville in the Cumberland basin, Columbus ascending on the Scioto—each a waypoint in the republic’s westering narrative. On the seaboard, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Washington, Charleston, and New Orleans anchor a lattice of coastal and riverine exchange.

A finely drawn inset of the West Indies links the continental tableau to the wider Atlantic world. Here, the Caribbean archipelago—strategic islands braided by trade winds and sea lanes—explains the gravitational pull of Gulf commerce on New Orleans and the lower Mississippi. A statistical table distills the map’s empirical spirit, organizing states and territories through population and geographic measures to reveal disparities in density, resources, and reach. Together, these elements—visual, geographic, and numeric—offer a synoptic education: a nation’s markets, migrations, and military concerns all legible at a glance, yet nuanced by the uncertainties that still fringed its knowledge of the interior and Pacific littoral.

John Melish was famed for turning fresh intelligence into coherent national image, and this map embodies that craft. Drawing on journals of Lewis and Clark, army surveys, traders’ reports, and coastal charts, he synthesized an ever-changing corpus into a single, persuasive statement of the United States’ continental scope. The engraving partnership of Vallance and the young H. S. Tanner—himself destined to become a titan of American cartography—brought typographic clarity and expressive line to Melish’s design. Issued in evolving editions through the late 1810s and early 1820s, the map became both mirror and catalyst: reflecting the republic’s geography while subtly guiding policymakers and the public to imagine a country whose natural corridors led, inexorably, to the Pacific.

Cities and towns on this map

• New York City, NY (modern day population: 8,336,817)
• Philadelphia, PA (modern day population: 1,584,064)
• Boston, MA (modern day population: 692,600)
• Baltimore, MD (modern day population: 585,708)
• Washington, D.C. (modern day population: 705,749)
• Charleston, SC (modern day population: 156,212)
• Cincinnati, OH (modern day population: 305,264)
• Pittsburgh, PA (modern day population: 302,971)
• Richmond, VA (modern day population: 226,610)
• New Orleans, LA (modern day population: 383,997)
• Columbus, OH (modern day population: 905,000)
• St. Louis, MO (modern day population: 301,000)
• Nashville, TN (modern day population: 715,000)

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Inset Map: A detailed depiction of the West Indies.
• Statistical Table: Provides contextual information about population or geography relevant to the various regions.
• Color-Coded Boundaries: Illustrates the borders between different territories, including British and Spanish possessions.
• Highlighted Locations: Marked trails and emerging towns, indicating the recent expansion of settlements.
• Cartouche with an Eagle: A highly ornate cartouche presenting an eagle, symbolizing the nation’s identity and importance.
• Topographical Elements: Contours and shading indicating physical geography such as mountains and valleys.

Historical and design context

• Map Title: Map of the United States with the contiguous British & Spanish Possessions
• Creator/Publisher: Compiled by John Melish, engraved by J. Vallance & H.S. Tanner, published in Philadelphia.
• Year Created: 1816
• Significance of the Mapmaker: John Melish was a prominent cartographer of his time, recognized for providing detailed and accurate representations of the United States as new geographical information emerged. He continued to publish various editions throughout the late 1810s to early 1820s.
• Topics and Themes: The map showcases the geographical and political boundaries of the United States in the early 19th century, highlighting contiguous British and Spanish territories. It includes both topographical insights and statistical information, indicating the evolving understanding of these regions.
• Regions Featured: The map displays the entirety of the continental U.S. from the Atlantic to the Pacific, incorporating territories that would later be fully integrated into the nation.
• Design Style: The map is meticulously detailed and dissected into 40 sections, backed with linen and edged in brown cloth for durability. It features notable visual elements such as cartouches and inset maps.
• Historical Context: This map is notable as the first large-scale detailed representation of the United States, reflecting the complexity and advancements in cartography during that period. The map's various editions reveal the evolution of geographical knowledge and the rarity of historical artifacts.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This is a very large map that must be ordered at a large size, so that you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 36x24in (90x60cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

Many of our maps and art prints are chosen as thoughtful gifts for homes, offices, studies and meaningful places.

Choose a framed option for the easiest ready-to-hang gift, or choose an unframed print if the recipient may prefer to select their own frame.

We make orders locally in 23 countries around the world, so gifts can often be produced close to the recipient. This helps them arrive faster, travel more safely, and avoid customs or import duty surprises.

• We can deliver directly to the recipient
• Framed pieces arrive ready to hang
• Unframed prints are carefully packed in a strong protective tube
• Almost every order is made locally, for faster, safer gifting
• 90-day returns give the recipient time to decide

If you are not sure what to choose, please contact us. We can help you pick the right map, size, finish or delivery option.

Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.

We print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.

Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.

Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.

Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.

If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.

Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.

Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 10-year guarantee.

Read our full delivery and local production guide

Our standard frame is a gallery-style black ash hardwood frame, with a simple, modern look. It is approximately 20mm (0.8in) wide. You can also view some lovely customer photos of framed maps and art.

We use super-clear acrylic glazing, also known as Perspex or Acrylite, instead of traditional glass. It is lighter, safer, and has lower reflectivity, giving the artwork a clearer, cleaner appearance.

Six standard frame colours are available at no extra cost: black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white, and antique gold. Custom framing and mounting/matting is also available for customers looking for something more specific.

Most maps, art prints, and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced wooden box frame, and then float the piece within a wooden outer frame. The finished result is beautifully presented, with no glazing between you and the artwork.

All frames are supplied ready to hang, with either string or brackets fitted to the back. Very large frames will include heavy-duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

We can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag, and other materials.

If you would prefer to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read our size guide before ordering.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me and I'll get it fixed ASAP, free of charge. Please see my returns and refund policy for more information.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 5,000 real 5-star reviews. My work has been featured in interior design magazines, on the BBC, and on the walls of dozens of 5-star hotels.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest. I stand by my products and will always make sure you're 100% happy with what you receive.

Almost all of my maps and art prints look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.