"Johnson's New Illustrated (Steel Plate) Family Atlas, with Descriptions, Geographical, Statistical, and Historical", Johnson & Ward

This popular atlas is complete and contains 43 single and half-page maps, and 25 double-page maps. These are all beautiful, steel engraved plates with rich color and tremendous detail. Many of the maps include vignettes showing important buildings and vivid scenes. This desirable atlas is highlighted by the short-lived New Military Map of the United States in the desirable configuration showing states and territories rather than by military districts. Other maps of interest include Georgetown and the City of Washington; a great map of the plains territories, a nice map of the Pacific Northwest, and a beautifully engraved frontispiece. This atlas also contains several thematic maps and diagrams interspersed throughout the text.

The map of the Southwest is one of the most desirable editions. Arrizona shows up in the southern part of New Mexico Territory. This is thought to represent the Confederate Territory of Arizona that existed for nearly a year from August 1861 until July of 1862. The Confederate General Baylor appointed himself the territorial governor and claimed all of New Mexico Territory south of the 34th parallel. In the southern part of Arizona is the "Gadsden Ten Million Purchase of Mexico." The Utah/Nevada border follows the 116th meridian. The map is filled with historic and interesting notations. One note in the area of Quartzite, Arizona refers to the area as being "exceedingly fertile and abundantly timbered and well watered." Additional details include the U.S. Mail routes, the Emigrant road to California, the proposed railroad route through Utah, Nevada and California, and the Pony Express trail. The map of the Northwest shows the large Washington Territory wrapping around Oregon, taking in the region that would eventually become Idaho. The map of the plains region includes the newly organized Dakota Territory and Nebraska with its panhandle stretching west to the Rocky Mountains.

Folio. Original hardbound quarter calf and tips with embossed green cloth covers, titling in gilt on front cover and spine, and marbled endpapers.

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Condition: B

The maps are good to very good with light toning, occasional faint spots, and light scattered foxing and soiling mostly in the blank margins. Several of the maps have short fold separations at bottom including the United States map, with more significant separations in New York (1"), New York City (1"), Kentucky/Tennessee (1"), Virginia (10") and Ohio/Indiana (10.5"). The map of Ohio/Indiana is also loose from the text block and has a 2" tear at left. The text block has separated from the binding and the signatures are loose. Covers are worn and the spine is cracked and chipped.