Catalog Archive
Auction 109, Lot 200

"Plan of the City intended for the Permanent Seat of the Government of the United States…", U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey

Subject: District of Columbia

Period: 1920 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Printed Color

Size:
45 x 28 inches
114.3 x 71.1 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

The original plan of the Federal City as envisioned by Pierre Charles L’Enfant rests in the Library of Congress. In May of 1887 the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey was charged with the task of copying the original manuscript and making available reproductions for use in land disputes and other legal aspects relating to the territory of the District of Columbia and other national survey matters. The plan remained in the custody of the agency until it was transferred in 1918. Several variations of the plan were sold by the USC&GS from 1893 until 1991. This example was issued circa 1920 based on the type of paper stock and early color lithographic printing process used. The more commonly found issue was one that was published in 1976 as part of the American Bicentennial celebration.

References:

Condition: A+

Estimate: $200 - $250

Sold for: $150

Closed on 12/1/2004

Archived