Catalog Archive
Auction 180, Lot 208

One of the Scarcest Early Government Maps of the Southwest

"Sketch of Public Surveys in New Mexico & Arizona to Accompany the Annual Report of the Commissioner of the General Land Office", General Land Office

Subject: Southwestern United States

Period: 1866 (dated)

Publication: Annual Report of the Commissioner of the General Land Office

Color: Hand Color

Size:
28.1 x 20.9 inches
71.4 x 53.1 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

This superb, large map is from the first edition of the General Land Office annual report. Issued at the end of the Civil War, these maps were designed to provide a visual depiction of the progress of public surveys, settlement and commercial development, and, most importantly, the mineral resources throughout the West. The map depicts a wealth of information including gold, silver, and copper mines, along with wagon roads, forts, early settlements, private land claims, and Indian land grants. Arizona has only five counties including the short-lived Pah-Ute County in the extreme northwest corner. New Mexico has 13 forts and only nine counties with most development confined to the river valleys. Also noted are the exploration routes of Ives and Whipple, the Old Spanish Trail, and the Former Overland Mail Route to California. The map provides a fascinating record of the opening up of the Southwest and is one of the best, and scarcest, early government maps of Arizona and New Mexico.

References: Phillips (Atlases) #1388-17; Rumsey 1070.017; Wheat (TMW) #1153.

Condition: B

Issued folding with contemporary outline color. There is light toning along the folds, a few archivally repaired splits at fold intersections, and some light dampstains.

Estimate: $550 - $700

Sold for: $550

Closed on 11/18/2020

Archived