This is the 1859 Valentine's publication, engraved by George Hayward, of the celebrated 1664 "Duke's Plan" of New York City, which was largely based on a map of New Amsterdam produced in 1660 by a surveyor named Jacques Cortelyou.  A copy was brought over to England, and there draftsmen in London modified it, adding British ships, and a British flag flying over Fort Amsterdam.  Not having a good grasp on the area's geography, the proportions of the surrounding water and land are vague and incorrect.  The English took over New Amsterdam 1664, and both the city and the territory were renamed New York, after James, the Duke of York, brother of King Charles II, hence the name the "Duke's Plan".

Presented in a 1 5/8 inch handmade ornate wood frame, with an ivory top and lower green conservation mat, and protected by Tru Vue Optium Museum Acrylic® glazing .  The map size is 28 x 24 inches; overall size with frame: 36 3/4 x 31 inches.  As with all of our framed art, the frame and framing materials are new, and since framing is stored in a controlled environment away from light.  The map is very good condition save for age-related toning that is typical of all Valentine's maps from this period; overall, one of the best examples of this increasingly rare map to come to market.