Gilded Age Caribbean Cartography

Lucas Jr., Fielding (1781–1854) ; Cartographer

West Indies Map [Carey & Lea Atlas] [Hand-Colored — First Edition]

Philadelphia: Carey & Lea, 1822.
A foundational specimen of American commercial cartography, this map represents the peak of 19th-century geographical reporting during a period of intense colonial transition. 

Drawn by Fielding Lucas Jr. and appearing in the landmark 'Complete Historical, Chronological, and Geographical American Atlas', the work utilizes the 'Lesage' style of surrounding a central map with dense columns of demographic and historical data. By coding the islands in distinctive hand-colored washes—red for British, yellow for Spanish, and green for Dutch—Lucas provides a visual ledger of the waning European grip on the Americas just as regional independence movements began to reshape the Western Hemisphere.

KEY FEATURES
+++ Visuals: Hand-colored copperplate engraving featuring intricate coastal details, navigational hazards, and shoals. Includes the site of Columbus' 1492 landing noted on Cat Island.
+++ Binding: Disbound from the original 1822 atlas; retains the original vertical center-fold.
+++ Content: Extensive narrative text columns detailing climate, soil, government, and the religious profile of the islands (Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, etc.).
+++ Imprint: Philadelphia: Published by Carey & Lea, 1822. Engraved by Young & Delleker.
+++ Specs: Full sheet measures 22 x 17.5 inches; map image 16.5 x 12 inches.

CONDITION: A bright impression with light, even age-toning across the sheet. The original hand-coloring remains vibrant. There is a standard center-fold from the original atlas binding, which is structurally sound. The margins are generous, showing only minor shelf handling and negligible soiling to the outer edges. A well-preserved, unsophisticated example of early American atlas printing.

SCHOLARLY FEATURES
+++ Colonial Ledger: The map functions as a primary political document, categorizing the Caribbean not by geography, but by European ownership during the era of the Monroe Doctrine.
+++ Demographic Data: The statistical tables provide a 'timestamp' of the region's population and slave labor systems just prior to the major waves of British emancipation.
+++ Navigational Detail: While interior topography is scarce, the coastal work is exceptionally detailed, noting keys and banks that were essential for the era’s maritime trade routes.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE —
Fielding Lucas Jr. was the premier American cartographer of his era, and his work for the Carey & Lea Atlas solidified Philadelphia as the center of the American publishing world. This atlas was the first of its kind produced in the United States to rival the great European houses, and it remains a cornerstone for collectors of Western Hemisphere geography.

The year 1822 was a time of immense political upheaval. As the United States looked southward, this map provided the necessary 'intelligence' for merchants and politicians to understand the complex web of Caribbean interests. The inclusion of lengthy text blocks allowed the 19th-century reader to move beyond the image into a deep-dive of the region's economic possibilities.

SUBJECTS: West Indies, Caribbean History, Colonialism, Cartography, Philadelphia Publishing, 19th-Century Statistics, Maritime History, Antique Map, Engraving, Americana.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE: Phillips 1373a; Howes C133; Rumsey CM1794.

Item #21804

Price: $175.00