1867 Mitchell Map of Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Dakota and Wyoming

Ephemeral mapping of the Colorado - Wyoming region.

A beautiful example of S. A. Mitchell Junior's 1867 map of Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming and Dakota. Wyoming, though territorially included, was not incorporated as an official territory until 1868. Color coded according to county and territory. Counties cover only the eastern and southern portions of Nebraska and the central and eastern parts of Kansas. Shows various proposed railroads, geographic features, American Indian tribes, and gold deposits as well as providing details on towns, counties, and other political data.

This map did not appear in the 1860 first edition of Mitchell's New General Atlas. Rather, it was introduced in 1861 following the formation of Colorado territory. The 1859 Colorado gold rush precipitated rapid development of the region by countless settlers seeking a new life and opportunities in the American 'wild west.' Features the vine motif border typical of Mitchell maps from the 1865-80 period. Prepared for inclusion as plate 52 in the 1867 issue of Mitchell's New General Atlas. Dated and copyrighted, 'Entered according to Act of Congress in the Year 1867 by S. Augustus Mitchell Jr. in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the U.S. for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.'

Cartographer

Samuel Augustus Mitchell (March 20, 1792 - December 20, 1868) began his map publishing career in the early 1830s. Mitchell was born in Bristol, Connecticut. He relocated to Philadelphia in 1821. Having worked as a school teacher and a geographical writer, Mitchell was frustrated with the low quality and inaccuracy of school texts of the period. His first maps were an attempt to rectify this problem. In the next 20 years Mitchell would become the most prominent American map publisher of the mid-19th century. Mitchell worked with prominent engravers J. H. Young, H. S. Tanner, and H. N. Burroughs before attaining the full copyright on his maps in 1847. In 1849 Mitchell either partnered with or sold his plates to Thomas, Cowperthwait and Company who continued to publish the Mitchell's Universal Atlas. By about 1856 most of the Mitchell plates and copyrights were acquired by Charles Desilver who continued to publish the maps, many with modified borders and color schemes, until Mitchell's son, Samuel Augustus Mitchell Junior, entered the picture. In 1859, S.A. Mitchell Jr. purchased most of the plates back from Desilver and introduced his own floral motif border. From 1860 on, he published his own editions of the New General Atlas. The younger Mitchell became as prominent as his father, publishing maps and atlases until 1887, when most of the copyrights were again sold and the Mitchell firm closed its doors for the final time.   Further Details...

Source

Mitchell's New General Atlas, containing maps of the various countries of the World, plans of cities, etc., (1867 edition).    

Condition

Very good. Some foxing throughout. Minor edge wear.

References

Rumsey 0579.040 (1868 edition).