1865 "Johnson's Nebraska, Dakota, Colorado, Idaho & Kansas" Map by Johnson and Ward

Presented is an original 1865 "Johnson's Nebraska, Dakota, Colorado, Idaho & Kansas” map. This map was issued as page 63 in the 1865 edition of “Johnson's New Illustrated (Steel Plate) Family Atlas.” The map is engraved, with attractive hand coloring and a decorative strapwork border. The state of Kansas and territories of Idaho, Dakota, Nebraska, and Colorado are outlined in pink and colored by county. Depicted but not colored are the neighboring states of Minnesota and Missouri. The map is beautifully detailed, with mountain ranges, rivers, and creeks all marked. Some roads and a few towns and forts are marked on the map. Several Native American tribes are labeled throughout the area, including the Osages, Arapahoes, Cheyennes, Dakotahs, Blackfeet, and more. There is a “Proposed route of the Pacific R.R.” marked on the map. 

This 1865 Johnson and Ward publication of “Johnson's New Illustrated (Steel Plate) Family Atlas” was written by Richard Swainson Fisher, M.D. Fisher was also the author of "Colton's General Atlas of the World," "The Gazetteer of the United States," and a past editor of the Journal of American Geographical and Statistical Society. The publishing company of Johnson and Ward was a successor to Johnson and Browning, themselves a successor to the famous publishing company, J. H. Colton and Company. A combination of both new plates and older, updated ones, all of the maps in this atlas were compiled, drawn, and engraved under the supervision of J. H. Colton and A. J. Johnson. The new plates, copyrighted by A.J. Johnson, were made exclusively for Johnson's New Illustrated Family Atlas. Others are the same as used in "Colton's General Atlas." 

This early 1865 issued atlas offered a really unique and timely snapshot of the United States just after the Civil War. In addition to the maps, the atlas had several pages of American history, recent federal census data, and geographical and statistical notes. The highlight was its “Chronological History of the Civil War in America” with battle records and dates. It also contained updates on the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and subsequent pursuit and death of John Wilkes Booth and included two Civil War-era maps, one of the “Vicinity of Richmond and Peninsular Campaign in Virginia” and the “New Military Map of the United States.” 

CONDITION: 

Fine condition overall. Hand Colored. Plate 63 from Johnson's New Illustrated (Steel Plate) Family Atlas. Strapwork border. Colored in the state of Kansas and territories of Idaho, Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado. Uncolored in neighboring states of Minnesota and Missouri. Toning, few areas of foxing. Loss to bottom left corner. Single page, 13 1/4" H x 18" W.

Archivally framed with acid-free mats, UV Conservation Clear glass, and a custom built wooden frame.  Framed Dimensions: 18 1/2"H x 21 3/8"W x 3/4"D.