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A rare map of the British Colonies in America, drawn up by a North Wales surveyor and one of the Founding Fathers of the US is going up for auction and is expected to fetch £40,000.

The 18th century artefact was created by Lewis Evans, who migrated to America from Caernarfon, and his close-friend Benjamin Franklin - who became one of the most famous Americans in history.

Made in 1755 the chart called, A General Map of the Middle British Colonies in America , set the standard for mapmaking in this region for the next 50 years.

Put together by Evans and Franklin, it was a vital tool in fighting the French and Indian War.

Evans, who emigrated from Caernarfon to Philadelphia in the mid-1730s, covered vast tracts of land in his map, showing Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island, as well as Ohio and parts of what was to become Canada.

(Image: Getty Images)

Evans’ descriptions of land beyond the British frontier into the Ohio territory included great amounts of new information, so offering potential settlers and speculators the most detailed and accurate look at the lands to the west printed on a map.

It will go under the hammer at Swann Galleries in New York on June 6.

Swann specialist Caleb Kiffer said: “This is the maker of an 18 century American map literally signing off on the work-in-progress printing of his map which would go on to have historic implications 53 days before it was to be a finished product and ready to be officially published on June 23, 1755.

“This is the kind of item one thinks to be impossible but has had the good fortune to surface and be appreciated by those who would appreciate it.”

Mr Kiffer estimates that the map is around 75% complete with the the map "lacking in finishing touches".

He added: “Virtually all the major place names and toponyms seen on the finished map are not engraved yet.

"Evans has written a few of these names in manuscript to be later engraved and has filled the distance tables at lower right in ink, correctly corresponding to the engraved version.

"Below the tables is an ink signature: ‘Lewis Evans ... May 2, 1755’.

“Rarely, if ever, has a piece of an 18 century map’s publication story been preserved or offered for sale.”

It will appear in the Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books auction and is estimated to be worth between £23,000 and £40,000.