Rare Pennsylvania map: Otley, J. W.; A New County Map of the State of Pennsylvania and Adjoining States, 1852.

Otley, J. W.; A New County Map of the State of Pennsylvania and Adjoining States, Showing the Route of the Central & Other Rail Roads &c &c. Reduced from the large state map by J. W. Otley. Engraved on stone by Friend & Aub, 80 Walnut St. 2nd door below 4th, Philadelphia. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1852 by R. L. Barnes.  Published by R. L. Barnes, N. E. Corner 7th & Market Streets, Philadelphia 1852.

A very clean copy of the 1st edition of the Barnes map. Separately issued, folding map on bank note paper. 25 1/4 x 36 1/2 inches. The original hand colored map is very clean and in the original 6 x 4 inch red cloth covered boards with gilt titles. Over all, very good condition.


The earliest official state map of Pennsylvania was John Melish's 1822 map. That map was updated  by William Morris in 1848. and  J.W. Otley produced another large state map  based on his own new surveys. The Otley map was reduced and first issued in 1852 by R.L. Barnes in a handy folder format suitable for travel. The map was intended to show the rapidly developing and expanding railroad, canal and road networks within Pennsylvania. Also shown are the counties, cities, towns, rivers and other topographic features.