Mitchell, S.A. Jr. "North Western America Showing the Territory Ceded by Russia to the United States."

"North Western America Showing the Territory Ceded by Russia to the United States."

Philadelphia: S.A. Mitchell Jr., 1867. 11 1/2 x 14 5/8. Lithograph. Full original hand color. Very good condition.

A map of Alaska, showing "Seward's Folly" the same year it was ceded by Russia to the United States for $7,200,000. At the time there was much controversy about this purchase-subsequently seen to be one of the best acquisitions ever made for the country. The map shows the general absence of development or settlement in the territory, as well as overall lack of knowledge of the geography of Alaska, which explains why this purchase was so misunderstood. This map was based by Philadelphia mapmaker, S. Augustus Mitchell, Jr. upon a large map done by the U.S. Coastal Survey. The coastlines and major rivers are shown with excellent accuracy, but only slight indication is given of the shape of other inland features like the Chigmit Mountains.