Copper-engraved map, hand-colored in outline; on 4 sheets, each dissected into 24 segments and mounted on linen, folding and in original cloth-covered cardboard slipcase with paper label of James Wyld, Geographer to His Majesty. Overall 127x193 cm. (50x76"); case size 22.3x13.2x4 cm.
Large folding case map of the United States and the settled portions of Canada, extending west to the upper Missouri and what is now the eastern half of Texas. The map is one of the great rarities among early 19th century English Case Maps of the United States. It is based primarily upon David Vance's wall map of the United States of 1825, published in Philadelphia, but Walker surpasses the Vance in both detail and accuracy. The scale of Walker’s map and its size dwarf contemporary maps by John Melish and others; it is arguably the most significant map of the United States published in England after Arrowsmith's map. A highly detailed map, it includes county boundaries, court houses, the homes of doctors, and explanations of the topography, as well as the trader's route from Missouri to New Mexico, the Great Spanish Road, Road to the Pawnies, and early Western Forts and settlements. The treatment of Michigan Territory, Illinois, Northwest Territory and Missouri Territory, including the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, is unsurpassed. With James Wyld's label on the verso of each sheet as well as on the case; the map was apparently colored and dissected by James Wyld in his shop, as the style of the dissecting runs vertically, whereas all other examples are horizontal. One of the great Americana maps of the post-Lewis and Clark period, very rare. Streeter, Texas #1098.
Condition:
Some rubbing and wear to slipcase, seams starting to split in places; light offsetting, as is common, tender or just starting to split along some folds, very good or better.