14, [1] pp. Folding hand-colored lithographed map. (8vo) 23x15 cm (9x6"), original printed wrappers.
Information for investors as to the progress of the great endeavor. Signed on the front wrapper by G.E. Gray, who was the consulting engineer for the Central Pacific Railroad. The map is "Map Showing the route of the Central Pacific R.R. From Sacramento To Great Salt Lake... Drawn, Engraved & Printed by C.W. & C.B. Colton & Co. 172 William St. N.Y." (32.3x53.5 cm). Warren Heckrotte comments on the very interesting map: "Solid line indicates railroad is completed to just beyond the Sierra, although text states that road has just made it to Cisco, shown on map, 94 miles from Sacramento and about 15 direct miles from Donner. Beyond, the line is dotted with notation 'surveyed but not located'; the line ends at Salt Lake City. A number of towns in Nevada are shown and the regions of the Humboldt Silver Mines and the Reese River Mining designated. Shows California, Nevada and Utah north of about 37º and a portion of Oregon and Idaho."
Further Notes from the Files of Warren Heckrotte
Provenance: K Harrison, San Francisco Book Fair, 2/7/98
I have Central Pacific map for previous year by Colton; this is based on Bancroft map and is much larger (scale 20 miles to an inch). This map probably also came from a pamphlet. Fact that map shows RR farther along than it was at time, according to text, shows that dating map by extant of RR is not valid. McGowan Bk Co, Cat 12/00, has 1867 copy, slightly different title, 20pp, map extends across country, title: Map of the Central Pacific Railroad, by Colton, 8 3/4"x31".
Condition:
Front wrapper detached, edges chipped with loss, rear wrapper with less chipping; map with a neat 3" split at one fold, no loss, clean; else very good.