Catalog Archive
Auction 184, Lot 278

"City of Washington", Mitchell, Samuel Augustus

Subject: Washington, D.C.

Period: 1848 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
15.5 x 12.4 inches
39.4 x 31.5 cm
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This finely engraved plan of the Capital names all major streets and buildings; notably, the President's House, Capitol Square, the Navy Yard, Judiciary Square and the Patent Office & National Institute. The Mall is mostly blank as construction on the Washington Monument will not start for two years. Also the Smithsonian Institute is not yet mentioned. Extensive table at lower left lists and keys to map 108 important buildings, e.g. the Capitol, State Department, Departments of War, Navy, and Treasury. Decorative scroll-style border. Engraved vignette depicts "Plan of the Principal Floor of the Capitol Building." This map has the Cowperthwaite & Thomas green border, but it carries no imprint of any kind, an edition we have not previously encountered. Page "16" at lower right outside neatline.

References:

Condition: B+

Toned with full contemporary color, a few dampstains along the edges of the sheet, and several small chips and tears also confined to the edges of the sheet.

Estimate: $200 - $230

Sold for: $150

Closed on 9/15/2021

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