A very good example of this gorgeous large-format antique Colton map of Arizona and New Mexico.
The map depicts the proposed routes of a number of early railroads through the region, including the Southern Pacific, Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe, etc. along with the route of the Denver & Rio Grande, Kansas & Rio Grande and several others then in existence. Colored by counties. Many early towns, forts, mining districts and other details shown. Excellent topographical detail, with lots of mountains listed, along with a number of early roads in New Mexico.
An essential map for regional collectors.
G. W. & C. B. Colton was a prominent family firm of mapmakers who were leaders in the American map trade in the nineteenth century. The business was founded by Joseph Hutchins Colton (1800-1893) who bought copyrights to existing maps and oversaw their production. By the 1850s, their output had expanded to include original maps, guidebooks, atlases, and railroad maps. Joseph was succeeded by his sons, George Woolworth (1827-1901) and Charles B. Colton (1831-1916). The firm was renamed G. W. & C. B. Colton as a result. George is thought responsible for their best-known work, the General Atlas, originally published under that title in 1857. In 1898, the brothers merged their business and the firm became Colton, Ohman, & Co., which operated until 1901, when August R. Ohman took on the business alone and dropped the Colton name.