Classic antique map of California by J. H. Colton originally published in his flagship work, “Atlas of the World” bearing the archetypal spiral border and a 1855 copyright. Inset of San Francisco on the upper right.

Colton was not a cartographer or engraver but he was a very good businessman who often co-operated with major cartographers such as Calvin Smith and D. Griffing Johnson. These partnerships are noted for producing several important wall maps of the United States and the world in the 1840s and 1850s. Many of the maps present in the “Atlas of the World” are derived from the surveys and earlier maps of these temporary partners, particularly Johnson. Another notable source, particularly for the western states, are the surveys of the General Land Office, the government body responsible for the sale and administration public lands to new settlers. The grids present on many of these early maps of the western states are derived directly from GLO surveys.

This map of California is based on the geography of an recent wall map of North America which Colton produced in collaboration with Griffing Johnson. Of additional interest are numerous wagon trails, potential railroad routes and exploration trails. There is extraordinary detail in the environs of Sacramento City but no specific mention is made of gold mining or deposits.

The inset of San Francisco is a very early plan of the city, showing its new post gold rush growth including ambitious landfill developments on the south east shore.

Although the copyright date on this map is 1855, this date rarely changes on the maps. This is the 1861 edition of the work.

Original colour. [USA9626]