National Map of the Territory of the United States First Edition - W. J. Keeler - Bauman Rare Books

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National Map of the Territory of the United States

W. J. KEELER

Item#: 62514 We're sorry, this item has been sold

National Map of the Territory of the United States

National Map of the Territory of the United States

National Map of the Territory of the United States

National Map of the Territory of the United States

National Map of the Territory of the United States

National Map of the Territory of the United States

“SOMETHING OF INTEREST IN EVERY PART OF THE WEST”: HAND-COLORED LITHOGRAPHIC MAP OF THE UNITED STATES, 1867

KEELER, W. J. National Map of the Territory of the United States from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. Washington: J.F. Gedney, Lithographer, 1867. Large folding map, measuring 49 by 59 inches, backed with linen. Issued in original brown cloth portfolio rebacked with the original spine laid down, cover-title stamped in gilt.

First edition of one of the most important late 19th-century maps of the American West, locating deposits of gold, silver, copper, quicksilver, iron and coal.

This key map of the western territories of the United States, “the best at the time” (Howes, 311), is “imposing… It offers something of interest in every part of the West” (Wheat V, 213). Made in the Office of the Indian Bureau, but privately printed and copyrighted, Keeler’s map tracks railroad lines (both completed and those in progress), and locates both military posts and Indian reservations, which are color-coded—an early use of this cartographic device. “Numerous towns and settlements were shown for the first time on a general map” (Martin, 157). “This is a complete Railroad Map, the only one published which shows the whole of the great Pacific Railroad routes and their projections and branches.” Notably, the Union Pacific Railroad is shown as completed as far west as the present Nebraska-Wyoming border. Perhaps most importantly, however, Keeler identifies recently discovered gold, silver, copper, quicksilver, iron and coal deposits. “It is the attraction of these hidden treasures,” he observes in the accompanying sheet of descriptive text, “that is drawing those great lines of railroad across the Continent.” Text laid down inside front cover. Published simultaneously with a special “presentation” issue. Wheat 1170. Martin 47. Graff 2281. Howes K22 (note).

Map in fine condition. Minor spotting to original portfolio. An impressive and informative production.

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Aquatint Copperplate process by which the plate is “bitten” by exposure to acid. By changing the areas of the plate that are exposed and the length of time the plate is submerged in the acid bath, the engraver can obtain fine and varying shades of gray that closely resemble watercolor washes. Although the name contains the word “tint”, this is a black-and-white printing process; aquatint plates can often be hand colored, however.
Armorial Used to describe a binding bearing the coat of arms of the original owner, or with bookplates incorporating the owner’s arms.
Association Copy copy that belonged to someone connected with the author or the contents of a book.
Boards Hard front and rear covers of a bound book which are covered in cloth, leather or paper. “Original boards” refers to cardboard-like front and back boards, from about 1700 to 1840, used as temporary protection for books before their purchasers would have them bound. Of particular value to collectors as evidence of a very early form of the book.
Book-Plate Label, generally affixed to the front pastedown, identifying a book’s owner.
Broadside Sheet printed on one side, typically for public display, usually larger than folio size (a folio being a broadside-size sheet printed on both sides and folded once, to make four pages).
Calf Binding material made from cowhide—versatile, durable, usually tan or brown in color, of smooth texture with no or little apparent grain. Readily marbled (“tree calf”), mottled, diced, colored, polished, tooled in gilt or blind, even scented (known as “russia”). Reverse calf, with a distinctive suede-like texture, is occasionally used.
Chromolithograph Lithograph printed in colors, typically three or more.
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Doublure Pastedowns made not of paper but of leather, for decorative purposes.
Duodecimo (12MO) Smaller than an octavo, typically less than six inches tall; smaller formats, such as 24mo and 32mo, are uncommon.
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Incunable From the cradle of printing, i.e., any book printed before 1501.
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Japanese Vellum Expensive handmade paper often used in deluxe editions.
Lithograph Illustration produced by transferring an image drawn on a carefully prepared stone to paper. The process allowed illustrations to more closely resemble the original drawings, paintings or sketches, as it gave the lithographer a freedom of line impossible to achieve in earlier intaglio and relief processes. It does not require the same sort of pressure as an engraving to transfer the image, but still has to be printed on separate stock from the text
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Wood-Engraving Engraving made with the graver or burin on the cross-section of a piece of boxwood; the harder wood and finer tools allow for more delicate, finely detailed images, while the block can still be set in the page alongside text and printed on the same stock as the text. While much older, wood engravings enjoyed an important renaissance in the late eighteenth century through Thomas Bewick and continued in popularity thorugh the nineteenth century.
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