Catalog Archive
Auction 126, Lot 100

"Amerique Septentrionale a l'usage des Colleges", Hachette, Louis Christophe Francois

Subject: North America

Period: 1827 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
13.6 x 9.5 inches
34.5 x 24.1 cm
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The United States and Great Britain established in 1818 joint claim over the Oregon Territory - the region north of Spanish controlled Upper California up to the southern boundary of Russia's Alaska Territory at North latitude 54°40'. By the late 1830's this arrangement was beginning to fall apart. In the 1840's the expansionist Democrats, including their 1844 presidential candidate, James Polk, claimed the entire region for the United States. Their expansionist desires were expressed by Polk's famous campaign slogan, "Fifty-four Forty or Fight!" The slogan also became a rally cry for Americans desiring to settle the territory. Following Polk's election, the dispute was resolved by the 1846 Treaty of Oregon, which struck a compromise that fixed the U.S./Canadian boundary at 49º North.

This finely engraved map reflects America's claim for the Louisiana Purchase reaching the Pacific Ocean and into British Columbia representing the Fifty-four Forty or Fight! dispute. The map illustrates the westward expansion period of the United States extending into present-day Canada in the Northwest, while Mexico still occupies California and the Southwest. The map contains much watershed information but the western U.S. contains the typical errors prior to Fremont's expeditions of the 1840's. The area of the Great Basin is mostly blank except for the R. de Monterey which flows from several lakes in today's Utah to Monterey. Alaska is Amerique Russe and Canada is Nouvelle Bretagne. The Caribbean islands are well shown. It has a fancy title with flourishes and a full keyboard-style border surrounds the map.

References:

Condition: B+

Very nice example that is very good less a small area of toning in a blank area east of the Antilles. Upper margin is a little rough.

Estimate: $150 - $200

Sold for: $100

Closed on 12/3/2008

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