C21.3  [Manuscript Archive]  Pennsylvania Anthracite Region.  Pen, ink and watercolor on paper and linen, various sizes though mostly 20” x 30” or larger, 1818 – 1877, Condition varies but mostly very good to nearly fine overall.  $14,000.00

A striking collection of  twelve manuscript county and township maps recording in superb detail the birth of the great anthracite coal boom that fueled the American Industrial Revolution.. Two maps record the efforts of John Dreher which were undoubtedly used in the construction of Samuel Fishers monument 1836 Map of the First and Second Anthracite Fields.( See Item C21.6).  John Dreher was an engineer and surveyor, and aided in developing the great coal fields of Schuylkill and also in settling the early land titles relative to many local estates. - Munsell  History of Schuylkill County.   The following items illustrated here.

3a.  F[erdrick] Lauderbrun and J[ohn] Dreher  Draught of the Coal Reservation in Schuylkill County.  Pen, ink and watercolor on linen, 18” x 24.5” overall.  “Resurveyed in the months of November and December 1824 at the request of the Representatives of the Coal reservation Company”.  Likely the first draught extant identifying the extent of the Schuylkill coal reserve, based on an earlier warrantee map by Thomas Lightfoot [as noted].  Superb clarity and detail, showing the coal reserve, Schuylkill River, roads, streams, Plan of Pottsville, [?] Christians Tavern, Tollhouse & Gate on Turnpike Road, as well as private and coal company land ownership throughout.   Pennsylvania court records indicate that Samuel Fisher acquired Dreher’s papers from his widow following his death and likely had access to this manuscript as well as his field notes.

3b.  J[ohn] Dreher  Situate in the Townships of Norwegian & Schuylkill [text lacking] embracing the Waters of Big Schuylkill. Mill Creek. Norwegian. West Branch [text lacking] of Schuylkill in the Coal Region and shewes [sic] original surveys.  N.d. but after 1824. Pen, ink and watercolor on paper, original linen backing, edges silk bound, 21.5” x 30.5” overall.  Embraces a slightly larger area than the previous map extending further southwest to include all of Norwegian Township.  The coal reserve bounded and colored as previous with thirteen large estates of more than fifty colored according to Dreher’s notation “the yellow parts are those included in the description from Recorded Deeds and Numbers on the map as numbered in the description given and herewith returned again”.   The year 1825 is considered to be the year in which Schuylkill coal trade actually began in earnest as 6500 tons of anthracite were shipped by barge to Philadelphia.

3d.  Fisher, Samuel B.  Proposed Division of Norwegian Township.  3 March, 1838, pen, ink and watercolor on paper, 18” x 25” overall. [With] [2] pp., lettersheets, manuscript petition to the Schuylkill County Court requesting township division along with commissioners response granting same.