Research Help: Special Collections Research Center at SU

[u/Swisslou8]

Update! Two amazing redditors have reached out to help and are in touch with the library. I don't want to inundate the librarians with this request, so I think we are good for now! Thank you, guys, so much for all the help! I can't wait to see the map! :)

Hi Syracuse! A bit of an unusual request from an amateur historian down in Erie, PA.

Background: I am currently researching the early history of a family property in western Erie County, particularly its connection to the construction of the Erie Extension Canal.

In researching historical maps of Erie County, Pennsylvania, I came across a reference in Penn State’s Pennsylvania Early County Maps and Atlases to an 1837 map of the county by Oliver Spafford that shows, among other features, the early canal system:

 Map of the County of Erie Pennsylvania, published by O. Spafford, Erie, Pa., 1837 (OCLC: 28118597).

In searching for a surviving copy, I found what appears to be this map listed in Syracuse University’s “A Guide to Maps in the Gerrit Smith Collection” as Map 13: Oliver Spafford, 1837, Map of the County of Erie, Pennsylvania in the following inventory: https://library.syracuse.edu/digital/guides/s/smith_g_maps.pdf

 

I have been trying to locate a copy of this map but have not been able to find a digitized version online. When I (a non-affiliate) email the Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) to ask whether the map even exists, I get an automated email saying they can't provide remote research services to non-affiliates and to check back in 2-3 months.

Request: Could you confirm whether this map is still held by the SCRC? If so, does a photograph or digital copy of it exist?

If not, would any student be willing to visit Special Collections and take a good photograph (or digital scan) of the map for me? I’d be happy to Venmo you for your time and trouble! I would also be happy to pay any applicable reproduction or digitization fees.

TL;DR: Syracuse Special Collections appears to have a rare 1837 map of Erie County (Oliver Spafford, Map 13 in the Gerrit Smith Collection) that I can’t find digitized anywhere. SCRC says they are not taking non-affiliate inquiries and to check back in 2–3 months. I’m hoping a Syracuse student can just confirm it’s even there and, if possible, get a photo/digital copy for me. Happy to Venmo you for your time and cover any reproduction fees!

Thanks from Erie!

[u/DifficultInjury1794]

I’m a graduate student in libraries and work at the library. I can see what I can do

[u/Swisslou8 → u/DifficultInjury1794]

Oh my! Thank you so much!!