Jacob Monk. “A New Map of that portion of North America exhibiting the United States and Territories, the Canadas, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Mexico, also, Central America, the West India Islands. Compiled from the most recent surveys & authentic sources.”
Baltimore: Jacob Monk, 1853. 55 x 59. Separately issued wall map, mounted on linen backing, and varnished as originally issued. Lithograph by A. Hoen & Co. Full original hand color. With original rollers. Water stain upper left hand corner of decorative border. Minor crinkling of margin below top roller. Top margin has been reinforced on verso with archival linen tape where attached to roller. Varnished has oxidized and the map surface has acquired a brown patina, all as to be expected, but the map is clean and bright. Otherwise, map is in very good condition for such a large wall map. Ref.: Wheat, Transmississippi West, III: 163-4 and 328-9. A/A
An unusual 1853 version of Monk’s impressive map of North America, an early edition in a series of wall maps published between 1851 and 1863. The map focuses on transportation routes crisscrossing the country, including railroads built and proposed, and tables are included at the right listing distances along water and inland routes between cities. Also of focus are the trails and exploration routes in the West. For instance, the Oregon Trail is shown with stopping places marked and miles between noted. Monk also indicates the water routes to California, with a number of ship vignettes gracing the seas. An inset map of the world, in the lower left, shows explorer routes around the globe. In the eastern part of the United States much information is given, providing a terrific contemporary image of the developed part of the country at mid-century.