A map of the United States showing the dates of the first known printing in the several states

Practically unknown map of the United States showcasing the history of the printing press.

Little information can be found about this quaint map of the United States, drawn by one B.A. Benson and likely issued sometime during the 1960’s. As explained in the scrollwork cartouche, the dates within each state represent the approximate year of the first printed material appearing. The date range spans over 200 years, from the earliest pamphlet printed in Massachusetts (The Freeman’s Oath, an 8-page almanac dating 1639) to the first newspaper, The Frontier Scout, printed in the Dakota Territory in 1864.

The printing theme is reinforced with illustrations of printmakers adjacent to the cartouche. Additional decorative elements in the form of sailing ships, an elaborate compass rose, and elegant script adds to the appeal of the image. Only two copies of this map appear in OCLC – the Buffalo Public Library and the Huntington Library.