This superb folio atlas is filled with beautiful, steel engraved plates with rich color and tremendous detail. This desirable atlas is highlighted by the short-lived New Military Map of the United States, which shows the military districts with vignettes of the major southern harbors. The map of California, Territories of New Mexico and Utah is the uncommon issue with the newly formed Nevada shown occupying part of California to the summit line of the Sierras. Arizona shows up in the southern part of New Mexico Territory. This is thought to represent the Confederate Territory of Arizona that existed for nearly a year from August 1861 until July of 1862 when General Baylor appointed himself the territorial governor and claimed all of New Mexico Territory south of the 34th parallel for the Confederacy. In the southern part of Arizona is the "Gadsden Ten Million Purchase of Mexico." The Utah/Nevada border follows the 116th meridian. The map is filled with historical notes and interesting notations. One note in the area of Quartzsite, Arizona refers to the area as being "exceedingly fertile and abundantly timbered and well watered." It details the U.S. Mail routes, the Emigrant road to California, the proposed railroad route through Utah, Nevada and California, and the Pony Express trail. This atlas also includes great maps of Texas, the western territories, and several thematic maps and diagrams interspersed throughout the text. Complete with 92 maps (24 double-page) as called for on the List of Maps. Hardbound in original green cloth with quarter calf spine and tips with titling in gilt on front cover and spine.

References:

Condition: A

A majority of the maps are very good with some minor foxing on a few sheets. The map of Ohio and Indiana is partially split along the centerfold. Covers and spine are lightly rubbed, and the corners are a bit bumped. There is a private ownership label pasted down to the front cover.