Catalog Archive
Auction 130, Lot 861

"Johnson's New Illustrated Family Atlas of the World…", Johnson, A. J.

Subject: Atlases

Period: 1866 (published)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
15 x 19 inches
38.1 x 48.3 cm
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This fine folio atlas includes the beautiful American Atlas frontispiece showing Native Americans overlooking a rapidly developing river valley, several interesting thematic maps, and a plate showing the flags of all nations. Many of the maps feature the engraved vignettes, first seen in 1863. Also included is the uncommon Johnson's Nebraska, Dakota, Idaho and Montana, a colorful double-page map that shows a very early rendering of Wyoming Territory with its western boundary incorrectly formed; extending here into present-day Idaho in the northwest, with Idaho taking up the present-day Wyoming region south of Jackson Hole to include the Tetons. On this edition the western portion of Montana called Missoula is correctly contained within the territory's boundary. The map of Texas "Johnson's New Map of Texas" is boldly colored and shows county development to the eastern border of the panhandle to include the new counties of Hardeman, Knox, Haskell, Jones, Taylor, Runnels, Concho, Menard, Kimble, and Edwards. Further west the huge unorganized area is comprised of the regions of Presidio, El Paso, and Bexar. The fine map of the Southwest is a version we've not encountered. It is a transitional edition that shows the original four counties of Yavapai, Mohave, Yuma and Pima in the newly organized Arizona Territory, but Arizona still encroaches to take the southern tip of Nevada. Also, the Utah/Nevada border is still 115°. An interesting variation of this map which went through constant revision. It continues to detail the U.S. Mail routes, the Emigrant roads to California, the proposed railroad route through Utah, Nevada and California, and the Pony Express Route. Further, this edition includes the Civil War-era "Map of the Vicinity of Richmond" from War Department records. Complete with 105 maps on 63 sheets as called for on the List of Maps. Hardbound in original cloth with quarter calf spine and tips with titling in gilt on front cover and spine.

References:

Condition: B+

The maps are generally very good to B+ with occasional scattered foxing. However the Mountains & Rivers sheet has a printer's crease across it, the flags sheet is more heavily foxed or soiled, the U.S. map has a clean split at lower centerfold, and the Massachusetts map is rough along edges with old paper repairs on verso. Cloth covers faded and corners bumped, spine a little rubbed and abraded at edges and face.

Estimate: $1,200 - $1,400

Sold for: $850

Closed on 12/2/2009

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