Lithographed map, hand-colored. With small scenic vignettes of Indians, animals and a covered wagon train on the map. Two inset maps at bottom. 69.5x52 cm (29¼x20½"), folding into gilt-lettered blindstamped cloth covers 14.5x9 cm (5¾x3½"), with ad for Colton maps mounted on inside front cover.
Striking map of Kansas and Nebraska, including the routes across the plains on the way west. At bottom left is an inset map of the United States, Mexico and Central America (13.5x21 cm); and at bottom right an inset "Map of the Territory acquired from Mexico by the Gadsden Treaty 1854" (11.5x29.5 cm). Warren Heckrotte notes that "This map is a portion of Colton's large map of the United States of America of 1854. He has added significant additions to this later map. The map of the Gadsden Purchase is one of the earliest. D. Rumsey has an earlier issue of this map, though still dated 1854."
Further Notes from the Files of Warren Heckrotte
Provenance: High Ridge, 2/87
There appear to be three maps of 1854 that note Kansas and Nebraska. This one. A small folding map in Hale's Kansas and Nebraska; I have copy. A large folding map, "Map of Nebraska and Kansas Territories showing the location of the Indian Reserves according to the Treaties of 1854", Lippincott, Grambo & Co. Philadelphia, 1854, 24"x 36" in cloth case... Swanns, 12/4/08, has Colton's Nebraska and Kanzas, 1856, cpyrt 1855, pocket map, 19 1/2 x 12 1/2 inches; they could find no record of this issue. Sold for 3360.
References: Wheat does not note this map and comments ( mistakenly ) on absence of any maps of 1854 to mark formation of Kansas and Nebraska. Mapping of the North American Plains, p222,( Rep ).
Condition:
A little darkening at margins and faintly at some folds; some small splits at fold intersections, a few larger splits neatly repaired on verso; very good, coloring bright, very attractive.