1823 Illinois and Missouri by H.S. Tanner.
By: Henry Schenk Tanner
Date: 1823 (Published) Philadelphia
Dimensions: 28 x 22.75 inches (71.1 cm x 57.8 cm)
This large format map of Missouri and Illinois Territories comes from Tanner’s American Atlas, the publication of which transformed American Commercial Cartography and marked the beginning of the Golden Age of commercial cartography in America.
The map shows early 19th century American Indian lands among emerging counties representing this early stage of westward expansion when Anglo-American civilization still clung to the river systems and railroads were a luxury of the east. Township surveys had begun by that time but settlement and geopolitical boundaries are still in their infancy in this map. Many early roads are shown, primarily following rivers or connecting cities to the mining regions. In the lower right quadrant a detail entitled ‘Explanation’ lists cities, capitals, forts, places of worship, ferries, roads, etc.
The northern portion of Illinois is still Sauk and Fox Indian Lands. Chicago itself is part of the Boundary Lands. Patawatma Indian Land is shown south of Chicago. In Missouri, Osage Indian area is shown in the west, as well as Wayne County and a large area above it, described as attached to Gascognade Co. The largest county; Pike, spans from the Mississippi to the Illinois and Fox River retains its original title of "Military Bounty Lands." This refers to veterans of the war of 1812 (a.k.a. America's 2nd Revolutionary War) whom were awarded land in this county as payment for their service.
Tanner first conceived of the atlas in 1818, and began publishing it in serial/subscription format in 1819. Issued over a 5 year period, when finally completed, it marked the first American Atlas which could compete on merit with the quality of European Commercial publishers. The Missouri & Illinois map is perhaps the most sought after of all maps from this atlas, providing an amazing detail where there had been relatively little detailed cartographic work to date.
Condition: This map is in very fine condition with original colors, and even toning that lends to exceptional eye appeal. A vertical tear that runs vertically from the top to center is apparent but does not distract. Archival repair on verso.
Inventory #10945
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