Wall Map: COLTON’S MAP OF NEW ENGLAND, Baker, 1860. A rare find. Superb

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Wall Map: COLTON’S MAP OF NEW ENGLAND, Baker, 1860. A rare find. Superb:
$623.00

Wall Map: COLTON’S MAP OF NEW ENGLAND, Baker, 1860. Superb!

Full title reads: Colton’s New Steel Plate Map of New England. Published by W.F. and A.A. Baker, New York, 1860.

A stunning beauty, 60” x 62” in size.

This is the seldom seen first edition of Colton’s information-rich, wall map of New England.

Complete with extra large inset maps of Boston (14” x 11”) and the United States (14” x 24”) with fantastic detail. The plan of Boston depicts the city at evidently an early stage in the filling in of Back Bay, as the proposed streets are shown but only a few as yet are named.

Another very interesting inset consisting of many clocks shows the times to the minute in various cities, both in New England and beyond, when it is twelve o’clock in Boston. This is a vivid reminder that this map appeared prior to the adoption of single, uniform times within time zones, which would not occur until 1883. The map is valuable as a source of information for the railroads; they are both clearly shown and named. It was, in fact, the need of railroads to standardize timetables that necessitated the change in the keeping of time.

A clear indication of the growing industrialization of New England can be found in the statistical tables. While the usual population figures for each county are given, also provided are the numbers of farms and manufacturing concerns in each. And while farms are still in the great majority, in some counties manufacturing already predominates. Also, three of the four fine corner vignettes are scenes of industry and commerce.

It is interesting that the map’s title plays up the fact that it was steel engraved. When this map was published, steel engraving was very much on the wane, having given way to the much cheaper and easier lithographic process. So, perhaps it was thought worth mentioning that the map employed the older process, which was capable of greater elegance in engraving.

Original wooden rollers, firmly attached! No restoration! Original blue ribbon selvage!

FINE-. This map is bright and glossy with bold colors, excellent edges, rollers in great condition, and the top few inches in excellent shape despite having been handled and stored rolled for over 150 years. There are plenty of the expected wrinkles from being rolled, resulting in the whitish dusting of the lacquer in places as is typical. Small white dot in upper right vignette. Please see large photos!

An impressive map ready for immediate display, with fabulous content from a period on the brink of the Civil War. You will NOT be disappointed!

A Note on the Grading of Maps

We follow the convention outlined in Rosenthal\'s Antique Map Price Record &Handbook:

Fine: Clean and bright, with crisp engraved lines. On sound paper with wide margins. Fine quality coloring.

Very Good: Clean and bright, with crisp engraved lines. On sound paper with no imperfections in the image. Small tears or minor discoloration in the margins only. Very good quality coloring.

Good: No significant imperfections. Minor spotting, foxing, short separations on centerfold with no image loss, or overall age toning may be present. May have narrow margins but paper is still sound. Good coloring.

Fair: Noticeable imperfections. Scattered foxing or spotting. Long separations on centerfold or tears entering image which can be easily repaired. Color may be slightly faded.

Poor: Needs significant repair and cleaning. Paper may be highly acid and brittle. Color may be faded.

All maps are guaranteed original. We do not sell reproductions of any kind.

We promise safe secure packaging, and happily provide shipping discounts for multiple purchases (except we cannot combine shipping for wall maps).

This week we are offering several large antebellum and Civil War era wall maps. A wide selection of US, New England, county, and city maps. Please see our other sales!

NOTE: We are posting many antiquarian books and maps from our inventory on this year after taking almost ten years off from our business. Listings will be started well below retail values. We look forward to connecting with old friends and making some rare items available to you.