A Definitive Piece of Bostonian History

Step back into the Federal era with this rare elephant folio edition of John Groves Hales’ 1819 Street Maps of Boston. Published in 1894 by the Boston Record Commissioners, this volume was a monumental effort to preserve Hales' meticulous surveys—the first in history to map every individual building, lane, and court in the town.

This is not just a book of maps; it is a "time machine" that captures the city at the very cusp of its massive 19th-century expansion.

Product Features

• Historic Surveys: Includes the complete set of maps and street plans originally drawn by John Groves Hales in 1819 and 1820.

• Special Inserts: Features the large, sought-after fold-out map of "Boston and its Vicinity," as well as the historic 1722 "Captain John Bonner" map reproduction.

• Large Format: An "Elephant Folio" size, designed to display the intricate details of the early 19th-century property lines and streetscapes.

• Binding: Original brown cloth boards with elegant gold-gilt lettering and the official Seal of the City of Boston on the cover.

Condition Report

• Cover: Shows authentic "bookshelf character" with light rubbing on the corners and edges. Gilt lettering remains bright and legible.

• Interior: The pages are clean but do contain foxing. The fold-out maps are intact with standard age-toning and original fold lines. some water stains throughout book including cover.