Catalog Archive
Auction 137, Lot 167

Rare Colton Civil War Map for a British Audience

"Colton's New Railroad & County Map of the United States", Colton, Joseph Hutchins

Subject: United States

Period: 1862 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
39.5 x 33 inches
100.3 x 83.8 cm
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This is a rare Civil War era map showing the eastern half of the United States. While it was produced by Colton, the map was distributed by Crutchly in London and kept the British abreast of the war in America.

The map is the color coded to identify Union, Confederate and Border states. Virginia is in an interesting configuration as the western portion of the state is shown as a border state, despite West Virginia not achieving statehood until 1863. There is an extensive network of railroads displaying both existing and proposed routes. At right are two insets showing portions of Florida and the full United States. The U.S. inset shows the proposed Central and Union Pacific Railroads and some unusual western territorial borders, including Arizona south of New Mexico (confederate configuration) and an early appearance of Colorado. The map is surrounded by a beautiful decorative border. The inside cover has a listing of the leaders and generals of the "Federal Administration" and "Confederate Administration".

References: Stephenson #25.7; Rumsey 3358.

Condition: A

The map is clean and bright with slight offsetting and toning. Dissected and mounted on linen. Folds into brown cloth covers with pastedown label. Map has an explanatory label in lower margin and border explaining the color coding of states.

Estimate: $1,000 - $1,200

Sold for: $1,200

Closed on 9/14/2011

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