Rare Old Map of Connecticut & Long Island by Colton, 1855: New Haven, Hartford, Bridgeport, Stamford, and New London

Step back in time with this extraordinary map of Connecticut and Long Island from 1855, a period early in the history of the United States. Published by J. H. Colton, a mapmaker renowned for his precision and craftsmanship, this map is a significant artifact that provides a unique glimpse into a past where many of today's settlements were yet to be founded. The landscape, names, and borders have undergone significant transformations over the past 150 years, and this map serves as a remarkable testament to these changes.

The map is a masterpiece from Colton, who is widely recognized as the finest American mapmaker of his era. His attention to detail and dedication to his craft are evident in the intricacies of this map. This piece not only serves as a historical record but also as a work of art, making it a prized possession for collectors and history enthusiasts alike. The rich details and historical significance of this map make it a fascinating snapshot of the past and a timeless piece of cartographic artistry.

Connecticut

• New Haven (1638) - Originally known as Quinnipiac, it's home to Yale University, one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education in the U.S.
• Hartford (1635) - Known as the "Insurance Capital of the World," it was once home to Mark Twain.
• Bridgeport (1821) - The most populous city in the state, it's known for its public park system.
• Stamford (1641) - Known as Rippowam by the Native American inhabitants, it's now a major business hub.
• New London (1646) - Once a world-leading whaling port, it's now home to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
• Norwich (1659) - Known as "The Rose of New England," it was a major center for trade and manufacturing.
• Greenwich (1640) - Known for its affluent communities and as the gateway to New England.
• Waterbury (1674) - Known as the "Brass City" for its significant industrial past.
• Danbury (1687) - Known for its hat-making industry, giving it the nickname "Hat City."
• Middletown (1650) - A major port from its founding until the decline of maritime industries in the state.

Long Island

• Brooklyn (1646) - Originally known as Breuckelen, it's now one of the five boroughs of New York City.
• Hempstead (1644) - One of the oldest towns in New York State, it played a significant role in the American Revolution.
• Southampton (1640) - Known for its historic and wealthy residential section, the Hamptons.
• Huntington (1653) - Known for its picturesque downtown area and high-quality schools.
• Oyster Bay (1653) - Known for its oyster production in the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Smithtown (1665) - Known for its preserved and working farms, as well as its rich history.
• Riverhead (1792) - Known as the agricultural apex of Long Island.
• Islip (1683) - Known for its waterfront communities and recreational fishing.
• Babylon (1872) - Known for its popular outdoor attractions and historic downtown.
• Glen Cove (1668) - Known for its significant industry during the 19th century.

Indian Tribes

• Pequot - Once one of the most powerful tribes in southern New England.
• Mohegan - Known for their independence and the establishment of one of the first Indian reservations in America.
• Niantic - Known for their alliance with the Pequot against the Narragansett and Mohegan tribes.
• Paugussett - Known for their struggle to maintain their tribal lands against colonial expansion.

Notable Natural Phenomena

• Long Island Sound - A tidal estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, lying between eastern Long Island and the rest of Connecticut.
• Connecticut River - The longest river in the New England region, known for its beauty and recreational activities.
• Thames River - Known for its historic significance as a transportation route.
• Housatonic River - Known for its outdoor recreational opportunities, including fishing, boating, and hiking along its banks.

Historical Events (1810-1855)

• War of 1812 (1812-1815) - Several naval battles took place off the coast of Connecticut.
• Industrialization (mid-1800s) - Connecticut and Long Island experienced significant industrial growth, with factories and mills springing up in many towns and cities.

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.