Engraved map, hand-colored. 74x97 cm (29x38") plus decorative grape-vine border which contains 12 views, overall (sheet size) 87x110 cm (34¼x43¼")' backed with linen & sectioned for folding loose into embossed cloth covers lettered in gilt, 22.5x14.5 cm (9x5¾").
The second 1849 issue of Colton's important map, published at a time of evolving geographic knowledge and settlement, most notable in the gold region of California. Warren Heckrotte describes this issue of the map, and its salient features, concisely: "On the map "Gold Region" lies just north of the American River. New Helvetia is only settlement in Central Valley and gold region. R. de Plumas is shown, but only one other short unnamed stub of a river in Sacramento Valley. Sonoma is spelled Zenoma. The Sacramento River and San Joaquin rivers have been moved east about 15-20 miles. Except for this the representation of California is close to that of the 1848 edition of the map. This is the second of three 1849 states of this map." A very nice example of this 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. Among the features is a sliver of Texas extending far to the north, to the parallel of the California-Oregon border.
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: John Howell-Books, 5/71
On verso of front cover name in ink of W.B. Dahlgren, and printed advertising label of J.Disturnel that shows the "World on an Equatorial Projection" .
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.