MACKINLAY, A. & W.

MacKinlay's Map of the Province of Nova Scotia, including the Island of Cape Breton compiled from Actual & Recent Surveys. 1865.

Liverpool: George Philip & Son Ltd., 1865. Large lithographed map with original hand colour, folding into original cloth case with title in gilt. Sheet size: (40 5/16 x 31 1/4 inches).

The preferred copy of the ultimate map documenting the First Nova Scotia Gold Rush (1861-74) in superior colouring.

This exquisite map, created by Halifax publisher A. & W. MacKinlay, is a remarkable 19th-century cartographic masterpiece. It combines a topographical survey of Nova Scotia with a comprehensive representation of the region's significant gold rush. With precise geodetic accuracy, the map showcases Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and parts of New Brunswick, labeling towns, villages, roads, post offices, telegraph lines, railways, and counties in vibrant colors. This special edition, an updated version of MacKinlay's 1862 survey, earned acclaim at the 1867 Paris Exposition, winning the Bronze Medal for Best Regional Cartography. Notably, the 1865 edition stands out for its comprehensive coverage of the transformative First Nova Scotia Gold Rush. It highlights major gold mining districts in red hues, such as Lawrencetown, Tangier, Oldham, Waverly, Sherbrooke, Wine Harbour, and Stormont in Halifax and Guysborough counties. Other significant gold districts like The Ovens near Lunenburg and Middle River in Victoria County, Cape Breton, are also featured, along with renowned coalfields in Cape Breton Island and Pictou County. MacKinlay's map is widely regarded as the finest representation of the gold rush, capturing its historical significance with precision and artistry. A. & W. MacKinlay, a prominent Halifax stationer and bookseller, founded by Andrew MacKinlay in 1826, played a pivotal role in producing this exceptional map. Renowned as Nova Scotia's leading supplier of educational materials, the MacKinlay firm ventured into original cartography with this map. Working closely with the provincial surveyor general's office, MacKinlay commissioned skilled draftsman W.A. Hendry to design the map's first edition in 1862, incorporating important revisions for the 1865 edition. The map's meticulous detail and superior lithography, beyond the capabilities of local printers, garnered widespread praise. Today, all editions of MacKinlay's map of Nova Scotia are rare.

Phillips, Maps, p. 625; David Rumsey Collection (online): no. 0451.001; see also Jennifer L.E. Bates, Gold in Nova Scotia (Halifax: Department of Mines & Energy, 1987).

Item #40893

Price: $1,250.00