Catalog Archive
Auction 124, Lot 121

"United States of America Compiled from the latest & best Authorities", Melish, John

Subject: United States

Period: 1821 (dated)

Publication: A complete Genealogical Historical Chronological & Geographical Atlas

Color: Hand Color

Size:
21.5 x 17 inches
54.6 x 43.2 cm
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An important map by the American cartographer John Melish, engraved by Benjamin Tanner, and published by Mathew Carey & Son for C. V. Lavoisne's atlas. It provides a detailed view of the Missouri River and the headwaters of the Columbia River based on information from Lewis and Clark's expedition. The new state of Missouri is shown with a straight western border. Michigan Territory includes the eastern part of present-day Wisconsin, which is still a part of the North West Territory. The large Arkansas Territory takes in most of present-day Oklahoma. New Mexico and Arizona are shown as possessions of Mexico, and that area is sparsely mapped. Texas is a state in Mexico with the town of Galvezton noted. One of the most interesting features of the map is the river system in the West, near the Highest Peak, where the headwaters of several major rivers all originate within a few miles of one another -- Red River of California (Colorado), Multnomah (Willamette), Rio del Norte (Rio Grande), Arkansaw (Arkansas), and the Platte.

References: Wheat [TMW] #338.

Condition: B

Nice original color on a sturdy sheet. There is some irregular toning and one short repaired tear at the bottom that just enters the border.

Estimate: $800 - $1,100

Sold for: $850

Closed on 5/7/2008

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