"The Minnesota Handbook for 1856-7 with a New and Accurate Map", Parker, Nathan H.

This is an immigrant handbook for Minnesota that features Colton's folding map titled Minnesota as the frontispiece. Western Minnesota is soon to become Dakota Territory, but here it is merged with Minnesota and simply called Pembina. Early county development in Minnesota is shown with little sign of railroads. An interesting notation identifies vast prairies said to be "the great Hunting and Fighting Ground of Dakotah, Odjebwe, Assiniboin, Arikara, Minitarree and other Nations." Filled with details of forts, towns, watershed, lakes and rivers. The map appears to be identical to Colton's separately issued pocket map of the same title, except for the note that Parker has furnished corrections. Parker wrote other guide books on Missouri and Iowa. This first edition book (5" x 7-1/2") is hardbound in green cloth gilt stamped, map, title page, 160 pp. There is information on the various regions, Life in the West, immigration, public lands, Indians of the Northwest, churches, schools and universities, and public improvements.

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Condition: A

The map is near fine with just a hint of offsetting and a short binding tear confined to the left blank margin that has been closed on verso with archival tape. Contents are tight with some light toning, the spine is lightly sunned, and the covers are gently worn.