“KANSAS AND NEBRASKA” New York: Charles W. Morse and Samuel N. Gaston, 1857. Wax-engraved map, with original hand color from The Diamond Atlas. (Image: 6 ¼ x 5’’)
This map depicts the eastern portions of the Territories of Kansas (statehood 1861) and Nebraska (statehood 1867) with counties named and in contrasting colors. Topographical features are shown and major cities, towns and railroads are located. It is very detailed for its miniature size (40 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.
Presented in an archival 12x11'' mat
