Lot 129
New York: J.H. Colton & Company. Fifth edition of Colton's world atlas, which was first published in 1856, and reprinted regularly thereafter. John Hutchins Colton (1800-1893) was one of the leading American cartographic publishers. The 1859 edition of Coltons General Atlas is a monumental 19th-century American cartographic masterpiece drawn by G. Woolworth Colton. It is highly prized by collectors for its incredible detail, distinctive wide geometric borders, and exquisite hand-colored steel plate engravings. Complete, well-preserved copies of this specific atlas are currently valued between $4,500 and $6,200 on the rare book market. This atlas provides an encyclopedic and up-to-date description of the world, the maps accompanied by text - "descriptions, geographical, statistical, and historical" - compiled by Richard S. Fisher. This atlas was published in 1859; in that year the failure of the Bolivian Government to pay a $25,000 bill for creating an atlas of that country forced Colton into bankruptcy, and the use of his plates passed to the partnership of Johnson and Browning. Reference: Phillips, Atlases, 827. THERE ARE 2 MAPS MISSING: #51 UTAH AND NEW MEXICO / #52 CALIFORNIA (CIY OF SAN FRANCISCO). The year 1859 was a dramatic turning point for the J.H. Colton Company. After a disastrous contract with the Bolivian government left a $25,000 bill unpaid, the firm was forced into bankruptcy. Because of this, the printing plates for this very atlas were sold to competitors Alvin Jewett Johnson and Ross C. Browning, making the authentic 1859 Colton-stamped production highly sought after for its superior printing quality. Unlike competitors who used cheaper, mass-produced wax engravings, the Colton family insisted on expensive steel plates. This produced incredibly crisp, intricate lines that allowed for minuscule detail in early layout plans of growing cities like New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia. : The maps capture global geopolitics in flux. Sub-Saharan Africa is largely marked as "Unexplored", Patagonia is still separated from Argentina, and the American West maps feature massive, pre-Civil War configurations of the Texas, Kansas, and Nebraska territories. Please ask specific questions on details, condition, and shipping prior to bidding, ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD AS IS, and the bidder will be responsible for payment. We box and ship what we can to keep costs low, and use USPS and UPS. Large items, extremely fragile, and high value items will be packed by UPS. Quotes available on request
- Dimensions: 15.5" x 18"
- Condition: Good - Very Good Condition with the front cover attached but loose. The leather spine has some damage. The maps are in Very Good - Excellent Condition for their age.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $49 | $5 |
| $50 | $99 | $5 |
| $100 | $199 | $10 |
| $200 | $499 | $25 |
| $500 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $2,999 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $9,999 | $250 |
| $10,000 + | $500 |