"The Clason Map Co's Automobile Map of Colorado", Clason Map Company

This is an extremely early automobile map of a western state. This great map provides a wealth of information about the state including counties, cities, towns, mines, coal fields, National Forests, land grants, railroads, wagon roads, mountain trails and most importantly the best automobile roads, which are delineated in red. Dissected and backed with original linen. Folding into original cloth bound covers, titled "Clason's Auto-Special Map of Colorado," with 16 pp index, plus 4 pp special description of the automobile roads. An advertisement on the back page promotes "The Grandest of all Automobile Tours" through Yellowstone Park, Twin Falls Idaho, Salt Lake City, and the great Teton Range of Wyoming.

The automobile was first manufactured in the United States by the Duryea Motor Wagon Company in 1893, and by 1901 Oldsmobile produced 425 automobiles. The Ford Motor Company, which was organized in June 1903, produced 1,700 cars during its first full year of business. These companies were the pioneers of the automobile industry, and the Clason Map Company was equally a pioneer in the production of maps to meet the growing demand of automobile enthusiasts. The existing bicycle and railroad maps did not serve well for this new form of transportation and maps were needed to identify roads suitable for automobiles; roads with adequate gravel, bridges, gasoline and repair shops. The American Automobile Association produced the first maps specifically for automobiles in 1905 and George S. Clason quickly followed suit compiling maps with the assistance of local automobile clubs.

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Condition: A

Linen repairs on two complete fold separations, resulting in the map being separated from its booklet. Overall very good with a bit of minor soil only.