"NORTH CAROLINA" New York: Charles W. Morse and Samuel N. Gaston, 1857. Original wax-engraved map, with original hand color from The Diamond Atlas. Ref: Tar Heel Maps, #25 (pictured). (Image: 5 x 6 1/2”)
This map depicts North Carolina with the counties named and in contrasting colors. Topographical features are shown, and major cities, towns, islands, mountains, and railroads (existing and proposed) are located. The "Miner's V." is also noted in Rutherford County.
The map is very detailed for its miniature size (approximately 60 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 technological 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 11 x 12'' mat
