Colton, G.W. & C.B. "Illinois" Double folio

G.W. & C.B. Colton. "Illinois."

New York: G.W. & C.B. Colton & Co., 1867. Double folio. 23 1/2 x 16 1/4. Lithograph. Original hand-coloring. With neat-line borders.  Very good condition. With inset of "Plan of Cook County & Vicinity of Chicago." 

From the mid-nineteenth century on, the lead in American map publishing swung from Philadelphia to New York. The firm of J.H. Colton and its successors played a large role in this shift, producing accurate and up-to-date maps that had a wide distribution. This striking map of Illinois is an excellent example of the company's fine work. It shows the entire state broken into counties and townships. These political boundaries are nicely set off with contrasting pastel shades applied with hand watercolor. Detail includes cities, roads, railroads, rivers, and other features of interest. Included is a plan of Cook County on a larger scale, giving good information of roads and the many railroads emanating from Chicago. For its attractive presentation and detailed picture of the state in 1867, this is a most desirable item of Illinois interest.