Catalog Archive
Auction 171, Lot 327

"Map of Central America, Shewing the Different Lines of Atlantic & Pacific Communication", Wyld, James

Subject: Central America

Period: 1850 (dated)

Publication: Ex. Doc. No. 75 1st Sess. 31st Cong.

Color: Hand Color

Size:
31.9 x 23.2 inches
81 x 58.9 cm
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This handsome map of Central America illustrates the various proposed routes for a land transit that would cut weeks off a journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The map shows four possible routes: "Across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec;" "From Port Sn. Juan del Norte to Port Realejo;" "From the Lake Nicaragua to Port San Juna del Sur;" and "Between Charges (Atlantic) and Vaca de Monte (Pacific)." A large and very colorful inset shows the geological formations on the Isthmus of Panama and the planned route in great detail. With the discovery of gold in California, this chart gained particular prominence and was copied in a U.S. government report. This example comes from that report, published in 1852.

References: Kapp (MCC-73) #114; Kapp (MCC-106) #191.

Condition: A

Issued folding with minor toning and offsetting along the folds and a couple tiny splits at fold intersections.

Estimate: $200 - $230

Sold for: $190

Closed on 2/6/2019

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