Map of the United States and Territories showing the Gadsden Purchase (Mesilla)
Print map on paper • Likely published by J.H. Colton, Samuel Augustus Mitchell, or Alvin J. Johnson
Style & Movement
19th Century American Cartography
Medium & Technique
Steel-plate engraving with hand-applied watercolor wash
Creation Period
Circa 1854-1858
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 12 x 18 inches; Landscape orientation
Subject Description
A political map of the United States showcasing Western expansion. Significant features include Kansas and Nebraska territories, a large Washington territory, and 'Mesilla' (The Gadsden Purchase) at the southern border of New Mexico territory. It highlights state borders, major rivers, and mountain ranges.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows typical signs of aging for mid-19th-century paper ephemera
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $350 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $250 USD
Provenance History
Likely removed from a mid-19th-century atlas or school geography book. No visible stamps or owner marks are present in the provided image.
Art Historical Significance
Highly significant for its depiction of the rapidly changing American West during the pre-Civil War era. The inclusion of the Gadsden Purchase (1854) and the specific configurations of the Utah, New Mexico, and Kansas territories marks a very specific moment in Manifest Destiny.
Notable Features
Features 'Mesilla' as a distinct region below New Mexico, a rare and short-lived cartographic designation following the 1853-54 treaty with Mexico. It also lacks several modern state boundaries, reflecting the territorial period.
Condition Issues
Notable foxing and spotting throughout, minor edge wear, vertical centrefold (typical of atlas plates), and slight yellowing of the paper stock.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional de-acidification, flattening, and mounting using archival materials. Display under UV-protected glass away from direct sunlight.