Large 1872 Map SHOWS ALL RAILROADS & FORTS IN THE WEST

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*** This week I will be listing some very interesting antique maps, engravings, documents, newspapers and other historic items from my collection, which I have begun selling on eBay. If you'd like to see some of the others, please * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ANTIQUE HAND-COLORED MAP ( genuine ) * * * * * Large Railroad Map of The Entire United States * * * * * Made in 1872 Showing All 37 States and 10 Territories * * * * * Also Shows Military Forts Throughout the Western Frontier ***** This is a really fantastic map, a scarce and highly displayable large antique map of the entire United States, measuring approximately 23 inches by 14 inches. Beautifully hand-colored, it shows all of the Railroad routes throughout the country during the time of the Indian Wars, 139 years ago, when it was made. Originals of this map are scarce, which is why it has been widely copied (these reproductions usually being offered as "art prints" or "posters"). But what is offered here is the original map! Titled " Map of the United States - 1872 ," this fully hand-colored map was made in that year and shows the 37 states that were part of the Union when this map was made – including Florida and Texas – as well as the 10 territories which would eventually add another 11 states. These territories, which had not yet achieved statehood, are all clearly identified on the map: the Indian Territory (later the state of Oklahoma) the Dakota Territory the territory of Colorado the Montana Territory the territory of Washington the Idaho Territory the territory of Utah the New Mexico Territory the territory of Arizona the Wyoming Territory This map is not simply a great artifact of our nation’s geographical history, however, because it also has several important historical features that render it an outstanding relic of Westward Expansion and the American Frontier. To begin with. this fantastic map shows the railroad routes throughout the entire country, at the time not long after the Civil War when the railroads had begun to snake their way throughout the West and from coast to coast. This alone makes this a great item for any collector interested in Railroads and railroad history. Running through the West are the Union Pacific Railroad, the Kansas Pacific Railroad and the Central Pacific Railroad, while the proposed route of the Southern Pacific Railroad is also laid out. However, this extremely detailed map is also a great relic of the Indian Wars, which were raging during the period in which it was made. This map was created at a pivotal time, only a few years before General Custer’s defeat at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, and it shows dozens and dozens of (probably well over 100) Western forts - Fort Kearney, Fort Laramie, Fort Fellerman, Fort Sully, Fort George, Fort Randal, Fort Lookout, Fort Union, Fort Thompson, Fort Smith, Fort Reno, Fort Stanton, Fort Fillmore, Fort Yumas, etc. [In addition, there is a small table in the corner of the map titled "Pony Express Mail and Telegraph Route" with the distance between various forts and towns shown.] This scarce and very beautiful hand-colored antique map, almost a century and a half old, is not only a great piece of historical memorabilia, but it is also an outstanding item for display as well! This map is very finely detailed and the light pastel shades make it quite attractive for display, and with an appropriate mat and frame, it will make an outstanding exhibit of 19th Century cartography. This map is guaranteed ORIGINAL – IT IS GENUINE, NOT A "REPRO" OF ANY SORT! It was made 139 years ago, and is guaranteed to be authentic, and not a later reprint or any other type of reproduction! This map is in excellent overall condition, the engraving ... read more

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