Colton, G.W. & C.B. "Minnesota"

G.W. & C.B. Colton. “Minnesota.” 

Philadelphia: O.W. Gray, 1881.  23 ¾ x 16 ¾.  Lithograph.  Original hand-coloring.  Chips in left hand margin with old repair tears left hand side.  Else, good condition.  With inset of “Continuation of Northeast Portion of Minnesota.” 

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 Minnesota is an excellent example of the company’s fine work.  It shows the entire state broken into counties.  These political boundaries are nicely set off with contrasting pastel shades applied with hand watercolor.  Detail includes cities, roads, railroads, rivers, lakes and other features of interest.  Included in the upper right is the northeastern tip of the state on the same scale.  For its attractive presentation and detailed picture of the state in 1867, this is a most desirable item of Minnesota interest.