1906 Northern Pacific Railway 'Pointer' Dog Map of the Western United States

An utterly charming 1896 lithograph pictorial map issued to promote travel to the Pacific Northwest via the Northern Pacific Railway. This map was issued in 1896 by Charles S. Fee, general passenger agent for the Northern Pacific Railway. It covers the western part of the United States roughly from the Great Lakes to the Pacific. Superimposed upon the map is the image of an English Pointer dog in classic 'pointer' pose. The dog's head, spine, and tail illustrate the course of the Northern Pacific Railway from Duluth, Minnesota to Olympia, Washington. Promotional copy overlaying the map reads,

Mark! When you want a Pointer regarding your western trip call on your nearest ticket agent or district passenger agent on the Northern Pacific Railway Co. or address Chas. S. Fee General Passenger Agent St. Paul, Minn.

A list of passenger agents is printed on the verso.

Publication History and Census

This map was engraved and printed for the Northern Pacific by Poole Brothers of Chicago. It is quite rare, with only a single 'digital' example listed at the OCLC and one at the Washington State Historical Society. This map was printed in several different formats. We have encountered it printed on stationary and, as here, in the form of a print magazine advertisement.