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Description

Extremely rare separately issued map of Oklahoma Territory, being the second earliest known printed map to focus on just this region.

First edition of one of the earliest separately printed maps of Oklahoma. Gilcrease-Hargrett does not list this map and states that "the first map of Oklahoma, and a prime rarity" is the 1885 Kansas State Journal Map of Oklahoma (Gilcrease-Hargrett, p. 254; Phillips, America, p. 637). The next separately printed map listed by Gilcrease-Hargrett (p. 255) is the 1894 Map of Oklahoma Territory published by Forbes Company in Boston and New York. The present map is not in Phillips, Rumsey, or any other standard sources.

A mounted copy of the present map was in 1966 as part of the legendary Streeter Americana Sale (590), where Streeter comments:

This map shows Oklahoma north of the Canadian River subdivided into squares of one square mile, that is one section of land, with an inset map showing the relation of this to the surrounding region, Texas, Kansas, and so on. Though undated, it was probably issued before a large block of this land north of the Canadian was opened for settlement on April 22, 1889, by presidential proclamation. Directions for locating a claim are given on the map.

This map was intended as a general information map and promotional, including text on "Direction for Locating a Claim" and how to contact the U.S. Land Offices at Kingfisher and Guthrie. The map was distributed as an extra by the Kansas City Times, a morning newspaper first published in Kansas City, Missouri in 1867. It was in the pages of the Kansas City Times that Dr. Morrison Munford first used the terms "Boom" and "Boomer" in reference to the effort to establish settlements in the "Unassigned Lands" of Oklahoma and to the people involved in those efforts. The Kansas City Times publicized and promoted the Oklahoma Land Rushes. As stated in an inset text box: "The Times will maintain its position as leader in the Oklahoma movement until that country shall become a State."

The map is of the utmost rarity. OCLC locates only 2 examples (Kansas City Public Library (with significant loss of printed image and library markings) and University of Michigan (Clements Library) . Prior to this example we are aware of 3 examples having been offered for sale Goodspeed 1952 (Streeter copy); Eberstadt (1964-$40.00); Streeter Sale (1966-$90). This example is likely in better condition than any of the prior examples on the market.

Condition Description
Creased where formerly folded, a few clean splits and small holes (minor losses), a few small spots in blank margins, and one long tear, flawlessly repaired on the verso.
Reference
Eberstadt 163:49; Streeter #590.