Catalog Archive
Auction 151, Lot 747

"Mitchell's New General Atlas, Containing Maps of the Various Countries of the World, Plans of Cities, etc. Embraced in Fifty Quarto Maps, Forming a Series of Eighty Maps and Plans, Together with Valuable Statistical Tables", Mitchell, Samuel Augustus

Subject: Atlases

Period: 1862 (published)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
13 x 16 inches
33 x 40.6 cm
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This complete example of Mitchell's world atlas was produced during the second year of the Civil War. It is complete with 80 maps and plans on 50 sheets, each surrounded by Mitchell's signature floral border. There are 25 map sheets related to the United States including 34 individual states and territories, regions and city plans. There are two world maps - one hemispheric and the other drawn on Mercator's Projection.

The map of Texas shows county development to 100° longitude with the large regions of El Paso, Presidio and Bexar Territory further west. The Staked Plain is now called Young Territory. The map of the United States depicts the Confederate Territory of Arizona, Nebraska with a long panhandle, and Washington Territory in its inverted "L" shape. The Pony Express route is depicted as are numerous exploration routes, important trails including the Santa Fe, the Overland Mail Route to California, wagon roads and early railroads. This 1862 edition did not include a separate map of the southwest, however on the U.S. map the southern tip of Nevada is contained as part of New Mexico Territory, and Utah encroaches a full degree into Nevada. Includes full-page plans of the cities of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, New Orleans and Cincinnati. All maps carry the 1860 copyright date.

Hardbound small folio, publisher's quarter calf with tips over cloth covered boards, stamped title on front cover. Title page, list of maps, and maps and plans are followed by 26 pages of text: List of Post Offices in the United States, Table of Population, Governments. &C., Mountains of the World, and Rivers of the World.

References:

Condition: B+

Condition code is for the maps which are generally very good with light toning and scattered foxing. The map of Ohio/Indiana has separated from the text block and chipped along the edges of the sheet. The title page and list of maps have large damp stains. Front cover is separated and the text block is loose. Covers and spine are moderately worn with a few damp stains on the back cover.

Estimate: $1,100 - $1,400

Sold for: $800

Closed on 11/19/2014

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