George F. Cram founded his company in 1869 after a short partnership with his uncle, Rufus Blanchard, one of the earliest map publishers in Chicago. Initially he published state maps and eventually entered the atlas field. He developed the technically complex business of atlas production and specialized in producing those that reached the widest audience possible. As the literacy rate rose in 19th century America, so did the market for atlases, which provided a compendium of information about the country and the wider world. Cram capitalized on this need and filled his atlases with an incredible amount of information that was continually updated. This complete atlas is one of Cram's larger publications, combining modern, historical, and astronomical maps along with statistical diagrams and a complete gazetteer of the United States. It contains over 300 maps, tipped in with double-page sheets continuously printed, and most maps printed back to back. Title page, table of contents, maps, text, and index, 632 pp. Hardbound in quarter calf with brown cloth, with gilt titling and gilt fore-edges (T.E.G.).

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Condition: C+

Maps and text are near fine, with light toning along sheet edges. Index pages are moderately toned. There are some small worm tracks in corners of index pages and along binding of first 50 pages, all well away from maps and text. The covers are heavily worn and detached, the spine is missing, and the first 40 pages are loose. This atlas would benefit from professional rebinding.