1857 "Nebraska and Kanzas" Map Published by J. H. Colton

Presented is an original 1857 printing of J. H. Colton's map of Nebraska and Kansas. First published in 1855, this is a later 1857 printing, issued as page number 50 in Colton’s Atlas of the World. The finely engraved map covers the broad expanse of the Nebraska and Kansas Territories, extending from the Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains and from the 40th parallel north to the Canadian border. It also includes portions of adjacent Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Washington, Oregon, Utah, and New Mexico. It is attractively hand colored in pink and yellow, green and orange, with red used to define state and territorial boundaries and is surrounded by Colton's intricate spiral motif border.

This map captures the dynamic and rapidly changing geography of the central Great Plains in the decade before the Civil War. Nebraska Territory, established by the Kansas-Nebraska Act of May 1854, is shown here as an immense domain stretching to British America. Encompassing the northern Great Plains, the upper Missouri River Basin, and parts of the Rockies, it represented the northern frontier of organized U.S. territory. Within just a few years, its vast lands would be further divided with the creation of Colorado Territory and Dakota Territory in 1861. 

Kansas Territory, also created in 1854, is shown extending westward to the Rocky Mountains, with borders far larger than the present-day state. Its boundaries and internal divisions would soon become infamous as the stage for “Bleeding Kansas,” a series of violent confrontations between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers that foreshadowed the coming Civil War. This map’s unique spelling of “Kanzas” preserves the early orthography used in official territorial documents before “Kansas” became the accepted form in the 1860s.

At the time of this map’s printing, the area was still largely inhabited by Native American nations, whose territorial domains are carefully noted throughout. Several proposed routes for the transcontinental railroad are also shown, including the northern “Stevens Route,” the central “Beswith Route,” and the southern “Gunnison Route.” These proposed lines highlight the national desire to link the east and midwest with the Pacific Coast, a dream not realized until the completion of the Union Pacific in 1869. 

An important artifact of westward expansion and American cartographic history, this 1857 Colton map captures a pivotal moment when the middle of the country was undergoing a massive transformation, from unorganized frontier to the settled states of the Great Plains. 

CONDITION:

Fine condition. Engraved map, with handcoloring. Paper is clean, with light but consistent paper toning. No foxing or staining. Good margins. The watercolor wash is lightly faded, but border coloring is strong. Dated and copyrighted to J. H. Colton and Company, 1855. Published by J. H. Colton and Company, in his “No. 172 William St., New York” office. Issued as page “No. 50” in Colton's 1857 Atlas of the World. Page number in bottom right corner.

Artfully framed with acid-free tan mat and backing, UV Conservation Clear glass, in a custom built wooden frame.

Framed Dimensions: 19 1/8" H x 21 5/8" W x 7/8" D. 

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.