Catalog Archive
Auction 190, Lot 204

Mammoth Facsimile of the Dermott or Tin Case Map of Washington, D.C.

"The Dermott or Tin Case Map of the City of Washington 1797-8", U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Subject: Washington, D.C.

Period: 1888 (dated)

Publication: Sen. Ex. Doc. 653, 60th Congress, 2nd Session

Color: Black & White

Size:
52.5 x 61.8 inches
133.4 x 157 cm
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Frustrated by the failed efforts of L’Enfant and Ellicott to complete a detailed map of the city, Washington turned to James Dermott, who surveyed the city and produced the map approved by Washington that laid out the city as we know it today. The original was kept in a tin case in the Surveyor’s office, hence its name. Like earlier plans, it shows the layout of streets with each block numbered. A few major buildings are labeled including the Capitol and the Presidents House . Text below the map detail the executive actions confirming the Dermott map as the official map of the city. This large facsimile map accompanied some copies of the 1909 Senate report Title of the United States to Lands in the District of Columbia.

References:

Condition: B

Issued folding with light toning along the fold lines and numerous splits at the fold junctions. Several longer separations along the lower horizontal fold (in the descriptive text) have been closed on verso with archival materials.

Estimate: $180 - $220

Sold for: $425

Closed on 11/16/2022

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