Artwork

A mapp of ye improved part of Pensilvania in America, divided into countyes, townships and lotts

A mapp of ye improved part of Pensilvania in America, divided into countyes, townships and lotts is an ink print by the Baroque artist Thomas Holme. It dates from 1687 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Thomas Holme’s engraved map, dated around 1687, presents a detailed representation of the settled region of Pennsylvania. The print delineates the colony’s administrative divisions, breaking the territory into counties, townships, and individual land lots, offering a systematic view of early colonial organization.

Subject & Meaning

The map’s primary function is to convey the spatial arrangement of Pennsylvania’s civil subdivisions, reflecting the colonial emphasis on orderly settlement and land allocation. By charting counties, townships, and lots, it served as a practical guide for proprietors, officials, and prospective settlers navigating the new province.

Technique & Style

Created through copperplate engraving, the image was incised by hand, allowing Holme to produce fine, consistent lines and precise lettering. The technique enabled multiple impressions to be printed, each retaining the sharpness necessary for the intricate grid of boundaries and annotations.

History & Provenance

Thomas Holme, appointed surveyor-general of Pennsylvania by William Penn, produced this map as part of his official duties. The 1687 date places it among the earliest systematic cartographic records of the colony, predating later, more detailed surveys.

Context

In the late 17th century, English colonies required accurate surveys to manage land grants and resolve disputes. Holme’s map reflects the broader colonial project of imposing a rational, surveyed landscape onto the American frontier, aligning with Penn’s vision of a “holy experiment” of orderly settlement.

Legacy

Although superseded by later, larger-scale surveys, Holme’s engraving remains a valuable primary source for historians studying early Pennsylvania geography, land distribution, and the administrative framework of the colony’s formative years.