Catalog Archive
Auction 127, Lot 855

"Johnson's New Illustrated Family Atlas of the World…", Johnson and Ward

Subject: Atlases

Period: 1863 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
15 x 18 inches
38.1 x 45.7 cm
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This transitional atlas contains more than 60 beautifully rendered, steel engraved maps with hand color and bright, crisp impressions. There are several thematic maps and diagrams interspersed throughout the text that display the geology, weather, tides, agriculture and animal kingdoms of the world. This 1863 edition is the last year with steel engraved plates and the version in which many of the maps feature vignettes and two different border styles. This atlas also features the double-page New Military Map of the United States. The Southwest map is the first Johnson issue showing the newly created Arizona Territory with its first boundaries and with the old New Mexico county divisions, including the county of Castle Dome in the current location of Yuma County. This example also shows the early provisional boundary between Nevada and Utah on the 115th Meridian. This very popular map is filled with interesting notations such as the description of the region near Quartzite, Arizona as being "exceedingly fertile and abundantly timbered and well watered." The map also shows forts, U.S. Mail routes, the Pony Express Route, the emigrant route to California and proposed R.R. routes. Folio. Original hardbound in quarter leather and green cloth. Gilt titles on cover and spine.

References:

Condition: C+

Two maps are loose, and several others have split along folds, many of which have been repaired with tape. Some brittleness of the pages along edges and binding straps. Contents have some scattered foxing, offsetting, minor soiling and age toning. Covers soiled and well worn with some loss along edges and on corners. Spine is good with minor rubbing at extremities and along hinges. Front and back endpapers reinforced with tape.

Estimate: $1,200 - $1,500

Sold for: $750

Closed on 2/25/2009

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