About this Item
"This uncommon wall map of the United States presents a detailed, coast-to-coast overview of the nation just a few years after the Gadsen Treaty (labeled 'Ten Million Purchase') finalized our continental borders. It was published by Samuel Gaston and Alvin Johnson in New York in 1855. The newly established Nebraska Territory (1854) and New Mexico Territory (1854) are boldly outlined amid an interesting depiction of the American West. Oklahoma is named the 'Territory of the Indian Tribes' and numerous indigenous populations are noted throughout. Toponyms identify a fascinating variety of settlements and locations of interest, ranging from mining towns and trading posts to frontier fortifications and geographic features. Numerous transportation routes and explorer's paths are noted, including the Oregon Trail and proposed routes of the Transcontinental Railroad. On the opposite side of the Mississippi River, the effects of the Industrial Revolution appear in full swing. States and their respective counties are outlined in largely recognizable forms, as millions of (mostly European) immigrants began to settle across the Midwest and New England. A robust network of railroads connects the farms and towns to coastal market cities like Chicago, New York, and Charleston. Steamship routes proceed to Europe, the Caribbean, and to California around the Cape Horn. Several vignettes highlight the steam-powered and sailing ships that would make this treacherous voyage, outlined in a world inset map in the lower left. Immediately above is a second inset of the Sandwich Islands. Hawaii remained an independent kingdom, but in the mid-19th century, many Americans saw its possession as vital to protecting our West Coast. Nearby, a table of statistics provides a wealth of demographic information, including literacy, crime rates, and slaves. It was this last category that was a major contributor to the political friction that plagued America during the mid-1850s. The Kansas - Nebraska Act of 1854 repealed the Missouri Compromise and introduced a policy of popular sovereignty in which each state would decide for itself to allow or prohibit slavery. Conflict over the choice resulted in a period of intense regional violence known as 'Bleeding Kansas', an important predecessor to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. This is the second edition of the map, which was first published in 1854. Subsequent versions were issued by various parties annually until 1858 or 1859. Five entries are noted for this edition in OCLC, at the Newberry, University of Chicago, Wisconsin Historical Society, Library of Congress, and Buffalo and Erie County Public Library. Source: OCLC #34377230; Library of Congress" Sheet Width (in) 72 Sheet Height (in) 52.5 Condition Description "Large wall map comprised of four printed sheets mounted on contemporary linen and affixed to old wooden rollers at the top and bottom. There is moderate to heavy wear in several areas. About 8 - 10 inches of damp staining can be seen the right and left sides. Several tears in the lower right corner, the largest of which extends into the border by about 3". Minor cracking and discoloration from the application of original varnish, and some chips in the border along the bottom edge. A few spots of separation from wear in the linen have been repaired on the verso with archival materials. Despite the several defects, the image remains intact and retains much of the vibrancy of its original hand color. Between fair and good condition overall.".
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