Rare Old Battle of Quebec Map by Jefferys, 1759: Plains of Abraham, River St. Lawrence, French and British Troops, Artillery, Naval Divisions

Immerse yourself in a pivotal moment of North American history with this exquisite 1768 map, "A Correct Plan of The Environs of Quebec, and of the Battle fought on the 13th September 1759." Crafted by the renowned geographer Thomas Jefferys, this map meticulously details the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, a significant turning point in the Seven Years' War. Commissioned by the British Crown, Jefferys drew from original surveys conducted by army engineers, ensuring unparalleled accuracy and detail. This map is not just a representation of geography but a vivid recounting of a historic military engagement that shaped the future of Canada.

The map offers a comprehensive view of the positions and movements of French and British troops, artillery placements, and naval divisions. The inclusion of Admiral Charles Holmes's and Admiral Sir Charles Saunders's ships, along with the camps of Brigadier Robert Monckton, Major General James Wolfe, and Major Hardy, provides a detailed snapshot of the strategic planning and execution of the siege. This level of detail allows historians and enthusiasts alike to trace the exact routes and strategies employed during the battle, offering a unique insight into 18th-century military tactics.

Thomas Jefferys' work stands out not only for its historical significance but also for its rarity and craftsmanship. This map is part of Jefferys' "General Topography of North America and the West Indies," an atlas considered one of the scarcest and most important of the 18th century. The atlas has only appeared once on the market in the last 80 years, making this map a rare treasure for collectors. Jefferys' dedication to accuracy and detail surpasses many of his contemporaries, and this map is a testament to his exceptional skill and contribution to cartography.

The map's design is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, featuring detailed topographical elements and a clear depiction of the River St. Lawrence, the North and South Channels, and the Isle of Orleans. The careful illustration of the French lines and batteries, along with the British encampments and attacks, provides a vivid representation of the siege's intensity. The map also includes a list of British Army camps in service at the Siege of Quebec, further enhancing its historical value and utility as a research tool.

Owning this map is akin to holding a piece of history in your hands. It is a remarkable artifact that not only showcases the strategic brilliance of the British forces but also commemorates a defining moment in Canadian history. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a collector of rare maps, or someone with a deep appreciation for cartographic art, this map offers a profound connection to the past and a tangible link to the events that shaped the modern world.

Places on this map

• Quebec
• River St. Lawrence
• The Bason
• North Channel
• South Channel
• Isle of Orleans
• Admiral Holmes's Division
• Admiral Saunders's Division
• Brigadier Monckton's Camp
• Major General Wolfe's Camp
• Major Hardy's Camp
• French lines and batteries
• British encampments
• Plains of Abraham
• West Point
• Pointe Levi
• List of British Army camps
• Encampments of military leaders

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Positions of French and British troops
• Artillery placements
• Ships of Admiral Charles Holmes's division
• Ships of Admiral Sir Charles Saunders's division
• Camps of Brigadier Robert Monckton
• Camps of Major General James Wolfe
• Camps of Major Hardy
• Detailed depiction of the River St. Lawrence
• The Bason (Basin) area
• North Channel
• South Channel
• List of British Army camps in service at the Siege of Quebec
• Topographical details of the surrounding area
• French lines and batteries
• British encampments and attacks
• Investiture of Quebec City
• Historic landmarks related to the Siege of Quebec
• Routes and trails used during the battle
• Major military leaders' positions
• Naval positions and movements

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: A Correct Plan of The Environs of Quebec, and of the Battle fought on the 13th September 1759
• Created by: Thomas Jefferys
• Date of creation: 1768
• Purpose: Produced for the British Crown, drawn from original surveys taken by the engineers of the army
• Historical significance: Described as one of the greatest 18th Century Plans of Quebec, showing the Battle of the Plains of Abraham
• Themes and topics: Military engagements, Siege of Quebec, Positions of French and British troops, artillery, and ships
• Regions shown: Quebec and its environs, River St. Lawrence, North Channel, South Channel
• Design and style: Detailed depiction of troop movements and encampments, inclusion of ships and naval divisions, list of military leaders’ camps
• Context about the mapmaker: Thomas Jefferys was a prominent geographer and cartographer in the 18th century, known for his detailed and accurate maps
• Rarity: The map is rare on the market, with the atlas it comes from having appeared only once on the market in the last 80 years

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 20in (50cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 36x18 version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.