Description
Spectacular large format folding map of Illinois, including a significant inset of Chicago, issued by Gaylord Watson in New York in 1872.
Much space is given to charting census information, particularly "The Progress of Chicago," which documents the city's impressive growth since its first city census in 1837. The table interleaves City, State, and U.S. Censuses up to 1870. There is also a list of each county's population in the 1870 census.
The map continues the tradition of Illinois mapping that was largely the domain of Peck and Messinger throughout the middle of the 19th century.
Rarity
We find one example having sold at Swann in 2006 for $510.
Provenance
Deaccessioned from Minnesota Historical Society.
Condition Description
Folding map. Original hand-color by township. Several areas of separation and small loss at folds and fold intersections. Mounted in original cloth folder, gilt-lettered: "Watson's New Township and Sectional Map of Illinois". Altogether a handsome example, despite its faults.