Lot 576: 2 John Tallis 1851 Maps: United States and North America

1st item: Map of the United States, steel engraving by John Rapkin, published by John Tallis, London, 1851. Hand colored. With three decorative vignette views labeled: "Washington's Monument" (includes the statue at the top which was never installed), "Penn's Treaty with the Indians," and "Buffalo Hunt." Shows the eastern states and some interestingly shaped western territories up to about the Rocky Mountains. Portraits of Washington and Franklin are shown on the left and right decorated border, as well as two US seals. Housed in a heavy koa wood frame with cut corners and beveled green mats. Sight: 10" W x 14 " H. Framed: 24 1/2" W x 27 1/2" H. 2nd item: "North America", steel engraving by John Rapkin, published by John Tallis, 1851. Hand colored. Depicts North America from Panama to the unmapped "Arctic Highlands" of the "Parry Islands" (Queen Elizabeth Islands). The map includes a decorative border and numerous decorative vignettes from all over the continent. These include views of Esquimaux, Mount Hekla (in Iceland), beavers, Niagara Falls, a convoy of diamonds in South America, and ancient monuments in Mexico, North American Indians, Wapiti Deer, and Russian Cossacks, all in the same image. Despite the late date of publication of this map, the American West is barely recognizable. "Upper California" stretches eastwards to the Rocky Mountains, as does Oregon. The Missouri Territory, Nebraska, and the Western Territories form most of the remaining Midwest east of Minnesota. New Mexico comprises the Texas Panhandle. Alaska is well-defined but named Russian America (it would not be transferred until 1867). Note: Both maps were engraved for Tallis's Illustrated Atlas and Modern History of the World, Geographical, Political, Commercial and Statistical edited by R. Montgomery Martin Esq. Tallis was one of the last great decorative map makers. His maps are prized for the vignettes of indigenous scenes and people. Housed in a heavy koa wood frame with cut corners and beveled green mats. Sight: 14" W x 10" H. Framed: 28 1/2" W x 23" H.

CONDITION: Maps are in good condition with toning and minor edge losses, not examined out of frames. The later frames are in excellent condition.