Colton's Impressive General Atlas

"Colton's General Atlas, Containing One Hundred and Seventy Steel Plate Maps and Plans, on One Hundred Imperial Folio Sheets", Colton, G.W. & C.B.

Colton's massive single-volume General Atlas is considered by many to be the pinnacle of American cartography in the latter part of the 19th Century. There are 6 double-page maps including the United States, New York City and Texas, and 87 (out of 90) single-page maps (missing London, Paris and Palestine). The maps of the Americas are complete and include many highly sought-after state and regional maps. It includes the desirable Territories of New Mexico and Utah depicting the region with the largest configurations of the Utah and New Mexico territories. Other important state maps featured in this atlas are the double-page Kansas and Nebraska, which shows little development in the western reaches of each state, Washington & Oregon,and nice maps of Texas and California. The atlas also features the thematic Comparative Size of Lakes and Islands. The frontispiece features four beautiful muses gathered around the globe in a classical allegorical engraving. The volume includes a frontispiece, title page, list of maps, text and maps. Folio. Hardbound in original quarter calf with tips over beige cloth with decorative gilt titling on front cover.

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Condition: B

The maps are mostly good to some very good with light toning, scattered foxing, and occasional soiling or staining. The first five maps have moderate toning and dampstaining along the sheet edges. The United States map has a 8" centerfold separation at bottom, the map of New York City has a 2" centerfold separation also at bottom, and the Kansas/Nebraska map has a narrow band of staining along the centerfold. The map of Philadelphia and the frontispiece are loose. Text block is loose, spine has perished, and the front cover is detached. Covers are sunned, worn and stained.