Catalog Archive
Auction 127, Lot 178

"United States of America", Melish, John

Subject: Eastern United States

Period: 1822 (circa)

Publication: A Complete Historical, Chronological, and Geographical American Atlas

Color: Hand Color

Size:
21.5 x 17 inches
54.6 x 43.2 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

A great map by the important American cartographer John Melish. The map extends west to longitude 109°, with the northern border of the United States extending into present-day Canada. 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. To the south, it is one of the earliest maps to use Stephen H. Long's material and the name Long's Peak first appears on this map. The new state of Missouri is shown with its straight western border. Michigan Territory includes the eastern part of present-day Wisconsin, which is still a part of North West Terry. The large Arkansas Territory takes in most of present-day Oklahoma. Texas and the Southwest are an interesting hodgepodge of regions, including the Great American Desert, New Mexico, New Santander. The map was engraved by Benjamin Tanner.

References:

Condition: B+

Fine original color with pleasant toning. Small worm tracks in the border at bottom centerfold have been patched on verso along with the fold separation repaired.

Estimate: $900 - $1,100

Sold for: $700

Closed on 2/25/2009

Archived