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Description

This is a scarce map of the United States, issued as a supplement to the Illustrated London News in 1861. The map is well detailed and shows the US split according to slave and free states. The map was clearly prepared in anticipation of the Civil War, benefiting from British public interest in the conflict, with some features such as a proposed Confederate Arizona appearing. In other parts of the map, the ravages of the Civil War do not yet appear, for example, Virginia appears unified.

One of the most interesting features of the map is that it shows Arizona below New Mexico. This is the so-called Baylor Line shape of the state, which had been proposed by southern states looking for a route to the sea. It would be invaded by the Confederate Lt. John R. Baylor in July of 1861, and he would divide the New Mexico and Arizona territories according to this proposal. Other interesting features include Kanzas extending from Missouri to the Rocky Mountains, massive Oregon and Washington Territories, an oversized Nebraska, and a truncated Nevada. On the map, Vegas is labeled as in Arizona.

Detail is extensive throughout the southwestern United States on this map. Many mountain ranges are shown and named, alongside proposed railroads and even gold mines. The Caribbean is shown in full, and an inset shows the southernmost part of Mexico. Canada is shown roughly below the 50th parallel, with good detail along the west coast.