Description

Colton's 1849 Map of the U.S. Showing California Gold Fields 

Approx. 34 x 42 in. (sight) map, dissected and mounted on linen. Hand-colored with inset map of the Atlantic Ocean with a number of ships traversing from European and American ports. Large decorative scene above title block. Numerous ships of many sail configurations in the Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Oceans. Ornamental border has 12 vignettes, larger scenes in corners, smaller along sides, all surrounded by grapevines. Scenes include Willammette Falls, Oregon; Astoria, Oregon; Saratoga Lake, NY; Valley of the Connecticut; Bunker Hill Monument; Washington Monument; Capital [sic - this is the misspelled version], Washington; Entrance of a Port; Mexicans Catching Wild Cattle; Cathedral City of Mexico; Pulaski Monument, Savannah, GA; Battle Monument, Baltimore, MD. The several Mexican vignettes are interesting, as the Mexican War had just concluded.

Colton's maps of 1849 were some of the earliest to indicate the California gold fields. This one has Gold Region just east of New Helvetia between the R de Plumes and Los Americanos [R.]. A slightly later edition put an insert map of the gold region - appropriately highlighted in yellow/gold - as in insert off the Pacific Coast with a vignette of Pyramid Lake. This is the edition most frequently encountered. In the edition offered here, it appears that the information about gold had just been received and they put the text on the map quickly as it was going to press, then reworked the map shortly thereafter. Not only is this a much scarcer edition, the dissected maps were the most expensive when they were produced - a desirable and historically significant map. 

Condition

Minor toning, particularly visible on the linen. Color somewhat faded. Overall very good; not removed from frame for examination.