Rare Old Map of Maine by J.H. Colton, 1855: Portland, Bangor, Augusta, Lewiston, and Bath

Immerse yourself in the rich history of the United States with this old map of Maine, crafted in 1855 by the renowned mapmaker J.H. Colton. Colton is celebrated as one of the finest American mapmakers of his era, and this map serves as a testament to his exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. This map is from a time when the United States was still in its infancy, and the landscape of Maine, as we know it today, was still taking shape.

The map captures Maine at a time when many of its settlements were yet to be founded. It showcases a bygone era, a time when the region was undergoing significant changes, with new settlements cropping up and borders being redrawn. The map is a window into the past, allowing us to see how the region has evolved over the last 150 years. It serves as a reminder of how far we've come and the many changes that have occurred since then.

It's fascinating to note the names and borders that have changed over the years. The five most notable settlements featured on this map - Portland, Bangor, Augusta, Lewiston, and Bath - may be familiar to us today, but in 1855, they were just beginning to make their mark. Each settlement has its own unique history and has played a crucial role in shaping the Maine we know today.

This map is more than just a piece of history; it's a work of art. The meticulous detail, the beautiful color palette, and the intricate design all speak to the skill and artistry of J.H. Colton. His work is a testament to the golden age of American mapmaking, a time when every map was a masterpiece.

In addition to its historical significance, this map also offers a unique perspective on the geography of Maine. It provides a snapshot of the region's topography, highlighting the natural features that have shaped its development. From the rugged coastline to the dense forests, the map captures the essence of Maine's wild beauty.

In conclusion, this old map of Maine by J.H. Colton is a treasure trove of historical and geographical information. It offers a unique glimpse into the past, allowing us to see how far we've come and how much we've changed. It's a must-have for any history enthusiast or lover of beautiful maps.

Notable Settlements in Maine

1. Portland (1786): Known as the economic capital of Maine, Portland was originally called Machigonne by the native people.
2. Bangor (1791): Known for its lumber industry, Bangor was once called the "Lumber Capital of the World".
3. Augusta (1797): The capital city of Maine, it was originally named Harrington.
4. Lewiston (1795): Known for its historical textile mills and shoe factories.
5. Bath (1781): Known as the "City of Ships" for its historic shipbuilding industry.
6. Kennebunkport (1653): A historic fishing village, it's now a popular summer destination.
7. York (1652): The first chartered city in America, originally known as Agamenticus.
8. Freeport (1789): Known for its historic trading post, it's now home to the world-famous L.L. Bean flagship store.
9. Brunswick (1717): Home to Bowdoin College, one of the oldest higher education institutions in the U.S.
10. Wiscasset (1760): Once the busiest seaport north of Boston, it was originally known as Pownalborough.
11. Camden (1791): Known for its scenic beauty, it's often called the "Jewel of the Maine Coast".
12. Rockland (1854): Known for its lobster-fishing industry.
13. Belfast (1773): Known for its historic downtown and vibrant arts scene.
14. Waterville (1802): Known for its historic role in the textile industry.
15. Ellsworth (1800): The gateway to Acadia National Park.
16. Bar Harbor (1796): A popular tourist destination known for its stunning coastal beauty.
17. Houlton (1807): Known as the "Shire Town" of Aroostook County.
18. Presque Isle (1859): Known for its potato farming industry.
19. Caribou (1859): Known for its historic role in the lumber industry.
20. Machias (1784): Known for the Battle of Machias, the first naval battle of the American Revolutionary War.

Indian Tribes and Territories

• Penobscot Tribe: Occupied the Penobscot River area.
• Passamaquoddy Tribe: Inhabited the area around Passamaquoddy Bay.
• Maliseet Tribe: Lived along the St. John River.
• Micmac Tribe: Occupied the northeastern part of Maine.

Notable Natural Phenomena

• Acadia National Park: Known for its stunning coastal beauty.
• Mount Katahdin: The highest mountain in Maine and the end of the Appalachian Trail.
• Kennebec River: A historic trade route for native tribes and early settlers.
• Penobscot Bay: Known for its stunning coastal beauty and historic lighthouses.
• Moosehead Lake: The largest lake in Maine.

Historical Events (1810-1855)

• War of 1812 (1812-1815): Maine was a major battleground in this conflict between the U.S. and the U.K.
• Aroostook War (1838-1839): A boundary dispute between Maine and New Brunswick.
• Maine becomes a state (1820): Maine was admitted to the Union as the 23rd state as part of the Missouri Compromise.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x30in (61x76cm), 32x40in (81.5x102cm), 40x50in (102x127cm), 48x60in (122x153cm) and 56x70in (142x178cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 70in (178cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40.5x51cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of USA and North America maps.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.