1864 Johnson Map of Washington, Oregon and Idaho
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Description: This is a magnificent 1864 hand colored map depicts Washington state, Oregon and Idaho. This is a rare variant upon the same 1864 Johnson’s map issue earlier in 1864, due to the defined Idaho-Montana border. This suggests that this map was issued late in 1864 following the formation of Montana.
Date: 1864
References: None found.
Cartographer: Alvin Jewitt Johnson (fl. c. 1850 – c. 1880) was a prolific American map publisher active from 1856 to the mid 1880s. The earliest Johnson maps date to the mid 1850s, however it was not until 1860 that the Johnson firm published its first significant work, the Johnson’s New Illustrated (Steel Plate) Family Atlas. The publication of the Family Atlas followed a somewhat mysterious 1859 deal with the well established but financially strapped J. H. Colton cartographic publishing firm. Although map historian Water Ristow speculates that Colton sold his copyrights to Johnson and his business partner Browning, a more likely theory is that Johnson and Browning financially bailed out the Colton firm in exchange for the right to use Colton’s existing copyrighted map plates. Regardless of which scenario actually occurred it is indisputable that the first Johnson maps were mostly reissues of earlier Colton maps, naming his firm the “Successors to J. H. Colton and Company”. Johnson’s business strategy involved transferring the original Colton steel plate engravings to cheaper lithographic stones, allowing his firm to produce more maps at a lower price point. In 1861, following the outbreak of the American Civil War the Johnson and Browning firm moved their office from Richmond Virginia to New York City. Johnson and Browning published two editions of the Johnson Atlas in 1860 and 1861. Sometime in 1861 Browning’s portion of the firm was purchased by Ward, whose name subsequently replaced Browning’s on the imprint. The 1863 issue of the Family Atlas was one of the most unusual, it being a compilation of older Johnson and Browning maps, updated 1862 Johnson and Ward map issues, and newer 1863 maps with a revised border design. The 1864 issue of the Family Atlas is the first true Johnson and Ward atlas. Johnson published one more edition of the atlas in partnership with Ward in 1865, after which Johnson seems to have bought out Ward’s share the firm. The next issue of the Atlas, 1866, is the first purely “Johnson” atlas with all new map plates, updated imprints, and copyrights. Johnson continued to publish the Family Atlas until 1870. Johnson maps from the Family Atlas are notable for their unique borders, of which there are three different designs, the “strapwork borer” from 1860 to 1863, the “fretwork border” from 1863 to 1869 and the “spirograph border” in 1870. In addition to the Family Atlas Johnson issued numerous wall maps, pocket maps, and in the 1880s the Cyclopedia. Johnson maps are known for their size, accuracy, detail, and stunning, vivid hand coloring. Johnson maps, purely American in their style and execution, chronicle some of the most important and periods in American history – the Civil War, the Westward Expansion, and the Indian Wars. Today Johnson’s maps, especially those of the American west, are highly sought after by map collectors and historians.
Size: Printed area measures 16 x 13 inches (40.64 x 33.02 centimeters)
Condition: Very good condition. Minor repaired closed on bottom right and on the left side. Text on verso.
Code: WAOR2-j-64 (Necessary for phone orders : 646-320-8650)
Framing: We offer optional framing services. The fee to frame and mat this map is 210.00 USD plus 25.00 USD shipping. This optional service is in addition to the cost of the map itself. Conservation framing is an excellent way to beautify and protect your antique map. Click here to read about our framing services and see our frame samples. To order framing, please call our customer service number.
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