Map, "A Map Of/ SOUTH CAROLINA/ And a PART of/ GEORGIA./ …"

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  • Engraver/Publisher: Thomas Jefferys; Cartographer: William Gerard De Brahm
  • London, England
  • 1757
  • Black and White Line Engraving with Period Color
  • 1973-322

The geography depicted on A Map OF SOUTH CAROLINA And a PART of GEORGIA was vastly superior to any previously published map of the area. De Brahm, who immigrated to Georgia in 1751, accurately illustrated the positions and courses of the rivers and their tributaries, located the many islands off the coast more correctly, and identified the parish settlements and boundaries on the South Carolina and Georgia coasts.

The decorative cartouche reflects South Carolina's profitable trade in indigo. Designed by an unidentified maker, the scene illustrates slaves processing the indigo into dye cubes and packing them for shipment. The most dominant feature, however, is an imposing stone tablet containing the title and imprint. Here, England's claims were essentially etched in stone. The large size of the monument suggests dominance, and the fact that vegetation has already begun to grow around it suggests longevity and permanence. There are no Englishmen depicted — only slaves — whose presence is secondary to the imposing stone edifice.

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