"Colton's Map of the United States of America, the British Provinces, Mexico and the West Indies. Showing the Country from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean ", Colton, Joseph Hutchins

This mammoth wall map by the Colton firm presents some evolving western territorial configurations. In the Pacific Northwest, Washington and Oregon extend to the Rocky Mountains, while a huge Nebraska Territory encompasses the region between the Continental Divide and the Missouri River. Minnesota Territory includes the eastern Dakotas to the east of the Red River. Utah and New Mexico (post Gadsden purchase) are in their largest territorial configurations, while Kansas extends from the Missouri border to present-day eastern Colorado. The map depicts the Oregon Trail with several illustrations sprinkled out in the west including an Indian shooting a buffalo, deer, bear, and a wagon train. A note above the Platte River indicates that “All the Indian Tribes under the protection of the United States recognize a Head or principal Chief through whom all transactions with the government are conducted.” Features a statistical table based upon 1850 census data at right. Surrounded by a decorative border with 4 inset maps tucked into the corners (Hawaii, Central America, West Indies and Newfoundland). Wheat notes that the 1853 edition of this map "creditably incorporates some of the latest information, including the new geography given to the world of cartography by the Stansbury maps of 1852." Original rollers are present and attached.

References: cf. Wheat (TMW) #776.

Condition: B

The map image is mostly clean and vibrant with only minor cracking and no darkening of the varnish. There is a dampstain at upper right, a small chip in the border at top left, and some minor tears in the top border. Original rollers are present and attached, with the top roller being a little loose.