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Description

Fine example of Ransom & Doolittle's rare pocket map of California & Nevada Territory, published in San Francsico by Warren Holt and focusing on the routes into Nevada and the recently-discovered mining regions.

One of the most interesting and detailed maps of the region, called by Wheat "a Nevada map of first importance." (Wheat 1071, illustrated at p. 77). The map was first issued in 1862 (copyrighted 1861). In the first several editions of the map, the Nevada-Utah borders are on th 116th meridian. In 1863, the border is moved to the 115th Meridian.

The present edition is an updated version of a map issued earlier in 1863. It depicts the important mining districts that have begun to develop in western and central Nevada, along with the roads leading to them. The Reese River district shows the towns of Austin, Clifton and Jacobsville, and there are the new districts of Smoky Valley and Big Canyon to the south and Mt. Hope to the north.

The acceleration of mining activity and resultant economic boom was a key factor is Nevada's early statehood (well ahead of its neighbors Utah, New Mexico and Washington Territory). The map shows six land districts in California, delineates counties, and shows the Overland Stage Road with thirteen stations named east of Austin, Nevada (another indicator of Nevada's growth).

Rumsey notes that this is a superb map, full of interesting and exotic information. The treatment of the Land and Mining Districts in Nevada and California is remarkable, as are the depiction of the roads in Nevada to the mining districts.

Described by Wheat as "Notably Rare," the map is known in 3 states in 1863:

  • The first with a copyright of 1862 (Wheat 1070).
  • The second with a copyright of 1863 and the word "A" added before NEW MAP in the title (Wheat 1071).
  • The third with a copyright of 1863, but lacking the "A" at the beginning of the title - and it is not listed in Wheat.

The three 1863 editions of the map are accompanied by 4 pages of text.

Perhaps the nicest example we have seen in the past 10 years.

Condition Description
Several short splits at fold intersections, archivally repaired on verso. Expertly repaired tear from Sonoma to Sutter County. Minor toning where the map folds into the boards. The covers are lightly worn and stained. In all, a very nice example.
Reference
Wheat 1070; Wheat 1071; Streeter 2880.