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Extremely rare wall map promoting the lines of the Union Pacific and connections, published in Chicago in 1892.
This is a remarkable example of a wall map which collectors visualize as hanging on the walls of train stations, ticket offices and railroad offices, with a marvelous large color masthead. While maps of this nature were widely distributed in the late 19th Century, there exposure to the elements and ephemeral qualities has insured that very few such maps survive and even fewer in good condition. The present offering is a remarkable exception, lacking the usual signs of watermarks, wear and staining.
Published in 1892 by Knight, Leonard & Co., map engravers and publishers in Chicago, the map prominently displays the extensive network of Union Pacific Railroad lines, forming the "Overland Route" that connected key cities across the western United States to the east.
The map is divided by state and territory boundaries, with the Union Pacific Railroad routes and their connections depicted as thick black lines, stretching from major eastern hubs like Kansas City, St. Joseph, Sioux City, Omaha and Council Bluffs (with a line extending from Fort Worth), all the way to western destinations such as San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, San Diego and Los Angeles. These cities, highlighted in larger black type, serve as critical junctions or terminus points along the vast rail system.
The route covers important regions in the Midwest, crossing states like Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah, and connects with other rail networks that serve the western regions, including Oregon, Nevada, and California. The map also reveals the importance of the mining regions of Montana, Colorado, Idaho, Eastern Washington, Utah and Nevada. The map illustrates the scale and importance of the railroad's infrastructure in shaping westward expansion and enabling efficient transportation for both passengers and goods across the United States.
Rarity
The 1892 edition of the map is very rare on the market. We note an example offered in 2010 at auction.
The 1896 example (US colored in yellow) appears occasionally on the market.
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