Catalog Archive
Auction 130, Lot 297

"Map of the State of Ohio Drawn by A. Bourne. Including the Indian Reservation, Purchased and laid out into Counties and Townships in 1820",

Subject: Ohio

Period: 1820 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
16.3 x 19 inches
41.4 x 48.3 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

This scarce map resulted from the combined efforts of Alexander Bourne and John Kilbourne, both active surveyors in the early mapping of Ohio. The state is shown with 70 counties, including the recently organized counties in the northwest corner of the state. It also provides excellent information on topography, roads, towns, and forts with particular attention to Indian Reservations. At the top of the state is the disputed boundary with Michigan before the outbreak of the bloodless Toledo War of 1835 and 1836. That conflict occurred over a sliver of land called the Toledo Strip, a 468 square mile stretch of land that both Ohio and Michigan territory claimed as their own. They actually both raised militias and threatened each other from the banks of the Maumee River, but nothing more severe than taunting ensued. Michigan acquiesced to Ohio's border demands in order to be admitted to the Union in 1837, gaining the mineral-rich Upper Peninsula as a consolation prize.

The map is still bound in the original 436 pp book (6" x 9.2"), "Archaeologia Americana Transactions and Collections of the American Antiquarian Society, Volume 1." The volume includes the complete article related to the map "Description of the Antiquities Discovered in the State of Ohio and Other Western States" by Caleb Atwater. Bound in later brown cloth with gilt spine title. Octavo, 436 pp., numerous in-text figures and 14 engraved plates, the large map and many small folding maps including "Plan of an Ancient Fortification, situated on the E. bank of the Little Miami River…" (7" x 8"). The state map is rare by itself, more so with the original and complete report.

References:

Condition: B+

Large map with archival tissue repair to tear at binding trim and a toning spot or stain at lower left. Plate VI bound in out of sequence.

Estimate: $500 - $700

Sold for: $375

Closed on 12/2/2009

Archived