Colton's Map of the World on Mercator's Projection c1855.

by Colton, Joseph Hutchins

World antique map. Voyages of Captain Cook, LaPerouse, Vancouver & Vincennes. Colton’s Map of THE WORLD on Mercator’s Projection - Published by J.H. Colton & Co. 172 William St. New York.

This map for Colton’s first Atlas of the World, was engraved according to the Act of Congress in the Year 1855 by Joseph Hutchins Colton in the Clerks Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York.

With Queensland shown as part of North Australia, this Colton world map has their signature solid hand-colour differentiating the regions, surrounded by a finely engraved architectural motif border. With regional boundaries changing and their pale solid colour varying accordingly, it was a major undertaking to update the political and geographical information for each successive publication. Colton maps were known for their accuracy and this, together with their stylish decorative borders, established the Colton firm as the pre-eminent North American cartographers of their day. Joseph Hutchins Colton (1800-1893) set up his map publishing business in the 1830s after purchasing the map plates of David H. Burr. Colton re-engraved Burr's steel-engraved map plates to reflect the latest information. In the early 1850s Joseph Colton's sons, George Woolworth Colton (1827-1901) and Charles B. Colton (1827-1884), headed the family firm.

With central vertical fold (to enable inclusion in a large atlas half the size of the map) the map page measures 55.5cm x 73cm (21 7/8 x 28 1/2 inches).. To the map border is 54.5cm x 77cm (21.5 x 30.25 inches). It is a large map with bumped edges, at base and at ends of centrefold crease; and a few light foxing spots. Otherwise it is in very good condition.