Edwin F. Johnson
Middletown, CT, ca. 1854
Edwin F. Johnson's "Railroad to the Pacific" with Rare Map of Proposed Route
Books

A rebound, second edition copy of Edwin F. Johnson's "Railroad to the Pacific: Northern Route. Its General Character, Relative Merits, Etc." [New York: Railroad Journal Job Printing Office, 1854]. Second Edition. Octavo, 166pp with eight plates of illustrations and maps. Two fold-out maps, including the "Map of the Proposed Northern Route for a Railroad to the Pacific." The volume is missing the first few front pages, including the title page, copyright page, and a small map/diagram. Rebound in brown marbled boards. No titling on the front or spine. With light rubbing and wear to the cover edges and corners. Light toning throughout internal pages, with some minor chipping to edges. Slightly stiff folds and small tears to the foldout maps, else very good.

The within foldout map appears very infrequently at auction, with the Americana Exchange reporting that the map has appeared at auction only once in the past 85 years. It was most recently sold at Swann Galleries in 2009 for $1,320, and before that it was sold in 1927.

Edwin F. Johnson was a well-respected civil engineer, who would later serve as chief of engineering for the construction of the Northern Pacific. His survey of the prospective routes is one of the most detailed and well-regarded works issued before the Railroad Surveys, and his "Map of the Proposed Northern Route for a Railroad to the Pacific" is certainly one of the most interesting and important early maps to illustrate the prospective routes to the Pacific. It is well-detailed, with hydrographical features, state boundaries, major cities, and names of states, with state population figures, and also shows the routes of Lewis and Clark, Fremont and Emory. Some major rail lines are also shown in the northeastern states. The map appeared in "Poor's Railroad Journal" in 1853 and later in Johnson's "Railroad to the Pacific: Northern Route, Its General Character, Relative Merits, Etc." published in 1854.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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5.5" x 8.5"