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Trans continental route illustrated : crossing the Switzerland of America

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/acaeb160-2fac-013a-7ba8-02d0d7bfd6e4-7

Descriptive Information

Title
Trans continental route illustrated : crossing the Switzerland of America
Alternative Title
Panoramic map of the great overland route from occident to orient : Europe to China, Japan & Australia.
Creator
Smith, A. M.  
Place of Publication
Chicago (Ill.)
Publisher
Rand McNally and Company  
Date of Publication
1876  
Extent
1 map : color
Dimensions
11 x 145 cm, folded in cover 17 x 10 cm
Notes
  • Likely published 1876.
  • __ "Lithographic strip map printed in three colors on 2 sheets joined and folding into 16 panels ... Tipped into gray boards, printed front and back with title and pictorial vignettes. This remarkable folding map, only six inches high but nearly five feet long, highlights the route of the Transcontinental Railroad from Chicago to California along the Chicago Rock Island, Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads. The extremities are compressed along the east-west axis, enabling the view to show connections from Chicago to the east coast and thence by steamer to Europe as well as routes from San Francisco to Asia and Australia. The image is rendered as a panorama, with topography shown pictorially and dozens of tiny vignettes depicting natural wonders and man-made landmarks such as the bridge over the Missouri at Council Bluffs and the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. Other vignettes humorously contrast the ease and comfort of travel in 1876 with the hardships of just a quarter century earlier. One shows an Indian warrior, armed to the teeth and with drawn dagger, labeled 'The Fellow that used to collect fare on the Overland Route in 1851'. Another, 'Sleeping accommodations on Overland Route in 1850', shows settlers asleep on the ground beside their Conestoga wagon, rifles at the ready. The panorama is surmounted by a long travelogue highlighting major points of interest on the route, along with fare information, a timetable and other information of use to would-be travelers. The verso bears ads for the Grand Pacific Hotel and the Commercial Hotel, both in Chicago. This image is rare, likely due to its fragile construction and format. I find seven holdings in American institutions and am aware of only three other examples having appeared on the market in the past three decades, including two sold by this firm in the past decade."--Boston Rare Maps website, revised Sept. 23, 2020.
  • Distance tables and 2 advertisements on verso.
  • Includes text, color illustrations, and 2 distance tables.
  • Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1876, by A.M. Smith ...
  • Title from cover.
  • Relief shown pictorially.
  • Many features shown pictorially.
Coverage-Spatial
United States  
Language
eng
Subject
Railroads  
Genre
Maps  
Type
Cartographic material  
Repository
Map Library
Local Bib ID
99954806079305899
Collection Title
Railroad Maps
Collection
Railroad Maps
TitleTrans continental route illustrated : crossing the Switzerland of America
Alternative TitlePanoramic map of the great overland route from occident to orient : Europe to China, Japan & Australia.
CreatorSmith, A. M.  
Place of PublicationChicago (Ill.)
PublisherRand McNally and Company  
Date of Publication1876  
Extent1 map : color
Dimensions11 x 145 cm, folded in cover 17 x 10 cm
Notes
  • Likely published 1876.
  • __ "Lithographic strip map printed in three colors on 2 sheets joined and folding into 16 panels ... Tipped into gray boards, printed front and back with title and pictorial vignettes. This remarkable folding map, only six inches high but nearly five feet long, highlights the route of the Transcontinental Railroad from Chicago to California along the Chicago Rock Island, Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads. The extremities are compressed along the east-west axis, enabling the view to show connections from Chicago to the east coast and thence by steamer to Europe as well as routes from San Francisco to Asia and Australia. The image is rendered as a panorama, with topography shown pictorially and dozens of tiny vignettes depicting natural wonders and man-made landmarks such as the bridge over the Missouri at Council Bluffs and the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. Other vignettes humorously contrast the ease and comfort of travel in 1876 with the hardships of just a quarter century earlier. One shows an Indian warrior, armed to the teeth and with drawn dagger, labeled 'The Fellow that used to collect fare on the Overland Route in 1851'. Another, 'Sleeping accommodations on Overland Route in 1850', shows settlers asleep on the ground beside their Conestoga wagon, rifles at the ready. The panorama is surmounted by a long travelogue highlighting major points of interest on the route, along with fare information, a timetable and other information of use to would-be travelers. The verso bears ads for the Grand Pacific Hotel and the Commercial Hotel, both in Chicago. This image is rare, likely due to its fragile construction and format. I find seven holdings in American institutions and am aware of only three other examples having appeared on the market in the past three decades, including two sold by this firm in the past decade."--Boston Rare Maps website, revised Sept. 23, 2020.
  • Distance tables and 2 advertisements on verso.
  • Includes text, color illustrations, and 2 distance tables.
  • Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1876, by A.M. Smith ...
  • Title from cover.
  • Relief shown pictorially.
  • Many features shown pictorially.
Coverage-SpatialUnited States  
Languageeng
SubjectRailroads  
GenreMaps  
TypeCartographic material  
RepositoryMap Library
Local Bib ID99954806079305899
Collection TitleRailroad Maps
CollectionRailroad Maps

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