Catalog Archive
Auction 126, Lot 142

"Map of the United States and Territories Showing the extent of Public Surveys and other details constructed from the Plats and official sources of the General Land Office…", General Land Office

Subject: United States

Period: 1869 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

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

This map, in full original hand color, is one of the more remarkable maps produced by the General Land Office. It shows the extent of the Public Surveys just a few years after the Civil War and includes many items of great interest. Most significant are the gold, silver, copper, and other mineral deposits that are color-coded to mark their location. The sites of army forts and posts provide an excellent view of the undeveloped territories and the western frontier. Details include land grants, townships, subdivisions, railroads, mining districts, etc. This is the first edition of this map to show the newly created Wyoming Territory. In the West, survey progress is still limited; much of Southern California is complete, but only small areas of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Montana, and no surveys at all in Wyoming. The geological key also locates, via color and icon, deposits of quicksilver, iron, tin, asphaltum, coal and oil springs scattered throughout the country. Constructed from Plats and Official Sources of the General Land Office under the direction of Hon. J.S. Wilson, Commissioner, by Joseph Gorlinski. Signed in the plate by Wilson. The General Land Office (GLO) was created in 1812 to oversee local land offices and in 1849 was incorporated under the Department of Interior.

References:

Condition: A

Some tissue repairs on verso and a few fold intersection splits, still near fine for a map of this size.

Estimate: $350 - $450

Sold for: $425

Closed on 12/3/2008

Archived