''MINNESOTA'' New York: Charles W. Morse and Samuel N. Gaston, 1857. Wax-engraved map, with original hand color from The Diamond Atlas.(Image: 6 x 5”)
This map depicts Minnesota Territory a year before statehood (1858), with the counties named and in contrasting colors. Topographical features are shown, and major cities, towns, waterways and railroads (existing and proposed) are located. Indian Tribes are noted throughout. It is very detailed for its miniature size (100 miles per inch).
The wax-engraving method was developed by Sidney E. Morse (brother of Samuel F. B. Morse - inventor of the telegraph). Wax engraving was ''a major techno-logical breakthrough that greatly influenced American commercial map and atlas production in the U.S.'' (Schwartz: Mapping of America, p. 265). This map is an early example of the process.
Shipped in archival 12x11'' mat
