This scarce and important map is the first separately published map of the Nebraska and Kansas territories, issued shortly after the passage of the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854. This landmark legislation organized the region into two territories and repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820, allowing settlers to determine the status of slavery and sparking intense national interest and migration into the area.

The map delineates the newly established boundaries, with Nebraska extending north to the Canadian border and west to the Rocky Mountains, while Kansas Territory extends from the Missouri River west into present-day Colorado beyond South Park and south along the 37th parallel including the panhandle of Oklahoma (that would become Public Lands). Beyond the Rocky Mountains are the eastern portions of the huge Washington, Oregon, Utah and New Mexico territories. The map prominently locates the Oregon Trail, Santa Fe Trail, and three possible Pacific Railroad routes, which were being intensely debated in Congress at the time and further compounding the complexity of western expansion. A very early depiction of the newly acquired Gadsden Purchase (1854) is prominently shown in an inset at bottom right with the "Southern Route for Pacific Railroad" delineated, along with an inset of the entire country to its left featuring the large western territories. The map is further enhanced by decorative elements including an ornate grapevine border and vignette illustrations in the map of wildlife, Native Americans, and a wagon train. Folds into red cloth covers with gilt title on the front cover. Further housed in a custom red cloth clamshell case. First edition, second state. The Rumsey reference is the first state with stars in the title letters (one of only a few known examples). Interestingly, this 1854 map is not listed in Carl Wheat's Mapping the Transmississippi West.

The map is scarce on the market with only 8 sales records for the 1854 edition in the last 30 years and only 1 since 2015.

References: Cohen (West) pp. 170-71; Luebke, Kaye & Moulton p. 222; cf. Rumsey #3873; cf. Phillips p. 459; cf. Streeter #3062.

Condition: B+

Contemporary color with minor toning and soiling, a short crease in the decorative border at top left, and several short splits at the fold junctions. Covers are slightly bowed with minor soiling.