Engraved map, hand-colored. 73.5x90 cm (29x35½") plus decorative grape-vine border which contains 12 views, overall (sheet size) 86.5x102.5 cm (33¾x40¼"). Folding into original gilt-lettered embossed morocco folder, 16x10.5 cm (6¼x4¼").
The third 1849 issue of Colton's important map, published at a time of increasing and evolving geographic knowledge and settlement, particularly in the gold region of California. Warren Heckrotte describes the map, and its salient features, concisely: "This is the third 1849 issue. On map 'Gold Region' still appears north of the American River; now 'El Dorado Gold Region' appears along the Feather River. Many rivers flowing into Sacramento River now located and named. There is a representation of the Delta region following Preuss/Fremont. New Helvetia/Sutter's Fort is only settlement located in Central Valley and gold region. Fremont's route along the Humboldt has been added as well as some additional north-south mountain ranges in the Great Basin following Preuss/Fremont." An attractive map, with delicately engraved border vignettes including the Capitol (spelled Capital) Building in Washington, the Washington Monument, Mexicans Catching Wild Cattle, Willamette Falls in Oregon, Astoria in Oregon, etc. Sailing ships abound in the oceans, and there is an inset of the Atlantic Ocean.
Further Notes from the Files of Warren Heckrotte
Full title: Map of the United States of America, The British Provinces, Mexico, the West Indies and Central America with part of New Granada and Venezuela New York. Published by J.H. Colton, No. 86 Cedar St. 1849 | [linear scales; about 100 miles = one inch] | Explanations --- | Drawn By Geo. W. Colton. Engraved by John. M. Atwood. Border Desigd. & Engd. by W.S. Barnard New York | [inset : ] A Map of the Atlantic Ocean showing the American & European Ports and the Routes of the Atlantic Steamers | Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1848 by J.H. Colton in the Clerks Office of the Southern District of New York.
Provenance: Randall House, 5/79
I know of the following states : 1) 1848, L of C. 2) 1849, L of C. 3) 1849, L of C. 4) 1849, W-GR 74, L of C. 5) 1850, W-GR 145. 6) 1851, W-GR 188. 7) 1852, Rumsey. 8) 1853, Sotheby's, 10/31/88. 9) (next in order or last?) 1859, W-TW 970. L of C reports in Imago Mundi, Vol 57, Part 2, 2005, Notable Acquisitions, p 218 that they have three states dated 1849,having just acquired what they believe to be first state.This they say is first Colton map to note California Gold Region. I have 3, 4, 5 and 9. LC has the 1848 state. Phil Print Shop, Cat 2/01, 10/01, has the 1848 state as wall map. There are other Colton maps with a similar title, but by size different maps. Swanns, Cat 12/8/05, has third '49 issue but with title of vignette of Capitol in Washington labeled "Capitol" instead of "Capital" on earlier issues.
References: W-GR 74, 3rd 1849 state. Streeter 3873. Ristow, Maps for an Emerging Nation, p 23, and #54 for 1st edition, 1848.