Catalog Archive
Auction 181, Lot 133

Two Maps Showing the Ephemeral Territory of Jefferson

"[Lot of 2] United States [and] Washington, Oregon, California, Utah, New Mexico", Smith, Roswell C.

Subject: United States, Jefferson

Period: 1861 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
See Description
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

Two maps issued on the eve of the Civil War that depict the ephemeral Jefferson Territory along the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains. This extralegal and unrecognized territory of the United States existed from October 24, 1859 until the creation of the Colorado Territory on February 28, 1861. Naming a northern territory after a Southern President as the Civil War approached apparently did not sit well with Congress!

A. United States (12.0 x 9.8"). In addition to Jefferson, the map shows an evolving West with Arizona occupying the southern part of New Mexico Territory indicating the Confederate Territory of Arizona. The map also depicts a large Nebraska Territory, a narrow Dakotah Territory, and an unnamed territory to the east of Oregon that became part of Idaho.

B. Washington, Oregon, California, Utah, New Mexico (9.9 x 11.9"). Shows the same configurations as the map above with the Confederate Territory of Arizona shown as "Proposed Territory" and Jefferson Territory is more prominently identified.

References:

Condition: B+

There is light foxing and a couple of minor stains.

Estimate: $250 - $325

Sold for: $350

Closed on 2/10/2021

Archived