PBA Galleries

Lithographed map, hand-colored. Printed by D. McLellan, N.Y., on thin banknote paper. 35x61.5 cm. (13½x24") plus decorative border, folding into original embossed red cloth folder lettered in gilt, 14.5x9 cm (5¾x3½").

Uncommon Colton map of the United States, which provides an extraordinary and ephemeral depiction of the Transmississippi West. Oregon and Washington run from the Pacific to the Rocky Mountains and Utah and New Mexico are still in their large territorial configurations. Virtually unique is the treatment of the Territories of the Plains. A massive Northwest Territory extends from Canada to the Rocky Mountains and Minnesota Territory, separated by the Missouri River. Nebraska and Indian Territory form an odd elaborate pair, covering much of modern Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma. The map notes a number of early explorer's routes, including Marcy, Fremont and Kearny, as well as the proposed railroad routes to the West and along the West Coast. Warren Heckrotte notes that "This is the first issue of this map and appears to be rare. It was reissued in 1854 and used to illustrate books and possibly as separate. In 1855, it was copyrighted anew and included in Colton's atlas... It is curious that Wheat in TW misses this map; he has 1855 edition."

Provenance: Robert Rubin Books, 6/91