- Maps at the Library of Congress
may be downloaded and freely used, although I’d recommend always
listing them as the source and indicating any revisions made to
their images if used in any kind of publication. It is also
possible to order copies of maps they have not yet scanned, for a
charge based on the size of the document/map (that's how the Rhea
map below came to be on their web site). They are usually
fairly prompt to answer questions posted through the “Ask a
Librarian” link on their site.
The home page
of The Library of Congress Maps.
- Maps at the Tennessee State Library and Archives may be
downloaded and used, but you may need to complete a form
indicating what you plan to use them for. And they require
you to always list them as the source and any revisions made to
their images if used in any kind of publication. It is also
possible to order copies of maps they have not yet scanned, for a
relatively small charge, but you will have to complete the form.
The home page of the Tennessee Virtual Archive
(TEVA) maps.
- Maps at the David Rumsey Collection may be downloaded, but the
images are copyrighted, and thus use is restricted. If you
wish to download images at their highest resolution you will need
to register then log in each time you access the site
thereafter. It doesn't cost anything to register. They might
give permission for some uses; just be sure and ask first.
The home page
of The David Rumsey Collection
- The use of the term “et al.” below means that at least one
revision was published, usually over a span of several years. And
the date given may not be for the first version. For
example, Rand McNally published their first atlas in the 1870s and
continues to publish maps and atlases to this day.
- Prior to the late 1800s, most, if not all, color maps were
colored by hand with watercolor. Some of the larger companies
literally had rooms filled with women and men doing this day in
and day out.