THE OFFICIAL STATE ATLAS OF KANSAS, COMPILED FROM GOVERNMENT SURVEYS; COUNTY RECORDS AND PERSONAL INVESTIGATIONS.

Philadelphia: L. H. Everts & Co., 1887., 1887. First edition. First edition. Folio. 18" x 15" x 3" Original calf spine and corners and cloth, titles stamped in gold gilt on the front cover, 339 numbered pages (plus many more unnumbered pages of views), preface, illustrated by hundreds of colored maps and plates in black & white. Twenty-five colored folding maps. A large 30.9 cm. x 70,9 cm. [12 1/4" x 28"] folding map.This is the first large atlas for the state of Kansas. Six Score 83 says "These atlases were designed so that pages could be tipped in. I doubt that any two copies are exactly alike." "This massive compilation contains a vast wealth of information on Kansas at the time of publication. Many of the views depict stock ranches, which are also located on the extremely detailed maps. There are many bird's eye views of towns and sights. Much of the accompanying text is devoted to listing the leading citizens of the state, their property, what kind of livestock they raise, and even what kind of fencing they use. The Everts' atlas is an important source for much information, with illustrations existing nowhere else." Rumsey 2818 says "The views show the remarkable development of the state over two decades after the Civil War." Dorothy Sloan states, "This atlas is rich in stock raising iconography and statistics. Many of the maps, which are certified as correct by various officials, locate ranches. Because of their large scale, the maps are quite detailed and show railroads, waterways, churches, cemeteries, and various features in the towns depicted. Numerous manufacturing establishments are also shown. The lithographed scenes, which were probably paid for by the owners of the properties depicted, show numerous prosperous farms, ranches, and town residences in their rural Victorian splendor. The detailed town maps are important documentation of a time when many of them were in their infancy. The importance of railroads in town development is obvious. The large folding map at the front was the best available map of Kansas at that time." Several pages in the "content" section of pages have small chips (repaired) with minor loss of lettering, also a few minor fore-edge repairs to the margin of a few pages at the rear of the volume, and some light cosmetic restoration to the front and rear leather corners of the covers, the maps and plates are in fine, bright condition, else a very good, tight copy of a beautiful cartographic production. The coloring is bright and this is a tough book to find in even good condition because of its size and weight.