"New Sectionalized Map of the State of Illinois Engraved from Official Draughts of each County…", Cram, George F. & Company

George Franklin Cram was a civil war veteran who marched with Sherman prior to his career as a map publisher. In 1867, George F. Cram and his uncle, Rufus Blanchard, founded the company Blanchard & Cram in Evanston, IL. The company manufactured and sold maps and atlases. Cram became the sole owner two years later and renamed it the George F. Cram Company. They sold a wide variety of atlases including the popular Unrivaled Atlas of the World which was printed continuously from the 1880s to 1952. In 1921, George Cram sold his business to one of his largest customers, E.A. Peterson of the National Map Company. The company is to this day producing quality maps and globes.

This is an early lithographed and hand colored pocket map published by the Cram company less than three years after its founding. The map is filled with information on settlements and towns, wagon roads, railroads, counties, townships, and watershed. This handsome issue is embellished with fancy titling lettering, decorative border and a bald eagle and shield. Folds into boards embossed with gilt title. Original paper four-page booklet on inside cover with the title "New Sectionalized Map of the State of Illinois, Showing the Counties, Townships, Railroads, Stations, Post Offices, River courses, and small streams." A beautiful example of this uncommon pocket map.

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Condition: A

Near fine example with very nice covers. Map is fine less a little toning where pasted into book. Bright, original hand coloring.