Catalog Archive
Auction 185, Lot 155

First Edition of Tanner's Important Map of the United States

"United States of America", Tanner, Henry Schenck

Subject: United States

Period: 1829 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
59.8 x 45.4 inches
151.9 x 115.3 cm
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This is the first edition of Tanner's important and detailed map of the eastern two-thirds of the United States. David Rumsey describes it as " one of best early large maps of the United States and the premier map for its period, without equal until Mitchell produced the first edition of his Reference and Distance Map of the United States in 1834." The map was well received by the public and went through numerous editions from 1829-1844. Cartographically, it covers the region from the eastern seaboard to the Dakotas and Indian Territory with longitude marked from Washington DC (much to the dismay of European mapmakers). To the north and west of Missouri are Indian districts including Huron, Osage, and Ozark with numerous Indian tribes located throughout. Indian trails, Indian villages, and military forts are also located in these regions with some useful notations including "Here the bands of Sioux meet every Spring to trade with each other and with the white Traders." In the organized areas of the country, distances on primary wagon roads are shown between settlements. Tanner noted in his Memoir on the Recent Surveys (not included) that adding the mileage information caused him to take twice as long to complete the map. Surrounding the map are a series of insets including fourteen cities, the southern part of Florida, Oregon and Mandan Districts, along with numerous profiles and statistical tables. The map is further decorated by a title cartouche featuring a forest scene with deer and farmland in the background. Professionally remounted on heavy linen with original rollers present and intact.

References: Phillips (Maps) p. 885; Howes #T-28; Ristow pp. 198-199; Streeter #3835; Sabin #94318; Schwartz & Ehrenberg p. 253.

Condition: B+

Professionally backed on heavy linen with original rollers present and intact. There is even light toning, occasional staining, and a number of small edge cracks mostly at top and bottom, as well as one at top left that extends 2" into the image. A few chips in the blank margins have been replaced with old paper.

Estimate: $7,000 - $8,500

Sold for: $7,000

Closed on 11/17/2021

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