"Post Route Map of the States of New Hampshire, Vermont Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Parts of New York and Maine", Nicholson, W. L.

This massive and detailed official postal map spans from Long Island to just north of Montreal. The map identifies numerous towns, cities, and railroads, but the main focus is the postal routes. A key at bottom indicates areas that receive service six times a week, three times a week, twice a week, and just once a week. It also notes discontinued post offices and mail messenger and special supply routes. A table next to the key provides statistics about the states, including the population as of 1870, railroad miles, "Capital Invested in Manufactures 1870 Dollars," and the number of people employed in manufacturing and mining and agriculture as of 1870. There is an inset map at right titled Vicinity of Boston, Showing Carrier Stations of the Free Delivery of the Boston Post Office. Above the inset is another table showing the distances between post offices. An early logo for the Post Office Department of the United States of America appears above the title cartouche and features a carrier on horseback, a train, and a steamboat. Below it is the department's motto: "With celerity certainty and security." The first edition of this map was published 1866; according to a manuscript notation at bottom, "The Service on this Diagram Brought Up to Date of May 1, 1878." Drawn by P. Goepel and engraved by D. McClelland under orders from Postmaster General William Dennison and Second Assistant Postmaster General George William McClellan. Dissected and backed in linen.

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Condition: B

There is light toning and offsetting, a large dampstain at left near Saratoga, and small areas of loss along some of the sections' edges, especially in Connecticut, that haven been reinstated in facsimile. Rebacked in new linen.