With 109 hand-colored maps & plans, etc. (15 are double-page), plus insets, and 5 other single-page maps not colored, all on 96 map-sheets; 2 double-page hand-colored engravings, one of the national flags and one of the major mountains and rivers of the world, after the title page. (Folio) 17½x15, original full decoratively blind-stamped maroon morocco, front cover with gilt-stamped vignette and lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt.
Colton was one of the pre-eminent American map publishing firms in the mid-nineteenth century, which began publishing maps in the 1830's. Contains numerous sought after single page state maps with city insets, with sixty-one of the maps pertaining to the Americas, and 45 of those focusing on the United States alone (10 are double-page). The double page maps include: the World; various portions of Canada; the United States; Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island; New York (state with 7 city insets); New York City and Adjacent Cities; Pennsylvania; Texas; Kentucky and Tennessee; Kansas, Nebraska, Dakota & Indian Territory; California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico; Oregon, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia & Montana; and England with Wales. The double-page map of Pacific Northwest including Montana shows early and strange state configurations for Montana, Idaho, Dakota and even a portion of Nebraska. The double page map of Kansas, Nebraska, Dakota and Indian Territory shows county development in the eastern portions of Nebraska and Kansas as well as the surround states, such as Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota. The Texas map includes insets of the Northern Part of Texas (colored), Sabine Lake, and Galveston Bay. Single page city plans include: Washington and Georgetown, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Savannah/Charleston, Louisville/New Orleans, Pittsburgh/Cincinnati, St. Louis/Chicago, London (black and white), and Paris (black and white). Plus many maps of North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceanica.
Condition:
Covers detached, spine perished, rubbing, small chips and edge wear; lacks the steel-engraved plate before the title page, first few pages including title starting to detach, mild dampstaining affecting the upper portions nearly throughout, slight toning; maps very good or better with bright coloring; binding needs repair.