Rare historical atlas!!!

[Dirtminer]

I was at a yard sale yesterday and I always ask if they have any maps. She said I think so and went in to the house and came back out with this. I swear the clouds parted and I heard trumpets. Ok seriously the hair on my arms stood up from my excitement and this is the Nh bible of old maps. She is letting me borrow it but is not ready to sell it yet. The best part is her house has had two fires and this atlas has made it through to my hands!!!! so I searched eBay the other day for this Atlas, and there is only one for sale that has been restored and rebound and it is for sale for $3400. Obviously this one is not in that condition. And I've only seen this online never in person which speaks to the rarity of this. I believe they have one here in town at the Fitz museum under glass but I'm not sure.

 

[eyemustdigtreasure]

Buddy, you have hit upon a gold mine of info,
enough to be real effective, re-locating some good places to hunt...!

 

[sutphin]

HEY MINER THAT ATLAS SURE IS NICE .

 

[ecmjamsit]

I'd get a flatbed scanner and copy every page and then burn two or three DVD copies.

 

[kcm]

If you can't get a scanner large enough, USE YOUR CAMERA!!

I had the chance to buy an old Plat Book of my area - I think early 1930's or so. Problem is, there was less here then than there is now, and there's nothing here now!

 

[g-olden years]

Hope you do photograph the pages if you feel comfortable doing that. Friendly woman to lend it & if she decides to sell it, you could still buy it even though you'd already have the photos. My father's family was among the early settlers in Keene (formerly Upper Ashuelot) New Hampshire. Some years ago, my sister bought each of us a comprehensive book about Keene compiled by the historical society, which included old maps. Family names were Perham & Allen, both have Keene streets named after them, plus the house built by my great-grandfather is still in use, though no longer in the family. I saw the old house when I was young and would love to detect our former homestead if the current owners didn't mind, but I won't be visiting again due to my age. New Hampshire is loaded with history! Andi

 

[ajaj]

Lots of great information for you to research there; definitely helps for metal detecting. Hopefully she'll sell it to you. Just curious...what makes this atlas "rare"?

aj

 

[trapperart]

Great find congrats

 

[Muddyhandz]

What makes it rare?
Only one seller on Abe and Bookfinder combined with a FAIR copy at $3,000....
I'd say it's rare! Copy every page you can!
That was nice they borrowed it to you.
Congrats.

 

[ajaj]

What makes it rare?
Only one seller on Abe and Bookfinder combined with a FAIR copy at $3,000....
I'd say it's rare! Copy every page you can!

I was just curious:

New Hampshire State Atlas 1892 New Hampshire Historical Atlas

Title Page: Atlas of New Hampshire. - David Rumsey Historical Map Collection

aj

 

[Dirtminer]

I realize that the maps are available online from historic map works which is the website that I've been using for five years to get my information for digging. However seeing the book in person where all those maps came from this book was pretty exciting. This is why we do what we do. Not so much for the value of things but for the history and the stories that go along with the things we find.

 

[Gaspipe]

Neat find. I have a similar one from my county dated 1892 also. It is also an original and in much better shape than the one you have. A friend of mine who is now deceased also found it at a tag sale years ago and gave it to me. While the maps are a bit new for the type of sites I prefer to detect I use mine to see what sites were gone in comparison to older maps. Like most of these atlases they have been used for years by treasure hunters to find sites and copies are out there. As you said even in beat up condition they are valuable because outside of libraries few survive. So if you can buy it for a few hundred bucks I'd grab it ....$3400 ...no way.

 

[kcm]

I realize that the maps are available online from historic map works which is the website that I've been using for five years to get my information for digging. However seeing the book in person where all those maps came from this book was pretty exciting. This is why we do what we do. Not so much for the value of things but for the history and the stories that go along with the things we find.

I see the day coming when every kid alive would get a thrill out of seeing an actual printed book. How scary is THAT!!??!!