LARGE, EARLY GOLD RUSH MAP, SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE “GOLD REGIONS” OF CALIFORNIA

ENSIGN & THAYER. Pictorial Map of the United States. [Engraved by J.M. Atwood]. New York: Ensigns & Thayer, 1850. Large hand-colored, linen-backed and varnished wall map, measuring 43-1/2 by 30 inches, with decorative border illustrations. Mounted to original rollers, silk matted and framed, entire piece measures 51-1/2 by 37-1/2 inches. $9800.

Original large rolling wall map of the United States, altered from Ensigns & Thayer’s 1847 imprint to feature the Gold Regions of California.

In response to news of gold in California, “commercial [map] publishers revised and updated previously published maps to take advantage of the gold field interest” (Ristow, 452). This is one such map, first published in 1847 and re-issued in 1849 and 1850 with the denotation, “Gold Region” extending from north to south along the Sierra Nevada foothills. Ensigns & Thayer also used the earlier 1847 map as a template for their famous Map of the Gold Regions of California (1849) (Wheat 84; Peters, 181), which in turn informed this 1850 version of the entire United States. A decorative pictorial border flanks the map on all sides, with depictions of such key historical events as the “Landing of Columbus,” the signing of “The Declaration of Independence,” and the “Battle of Monterey.” New York City lithographers Timothy and Edward Ensign were active in a series of partnerships between 1841 and 1861, working with Phelps and Humphrey, with Horace Thayer (Ensigns & Thayer as here), and finally, as Ensign, Bridgman & Fanning. See Wheat III: 75 (609); 149 (713).

Minor fraying to linen edges, horizontal cracking near rollers. Coloring fine. Expert repair to map where attached to top roller. Extremely good condition, beautifully framed.