S. A. Mitchell. Map of Oregon, Washington and Part of British Columbia. 1861
Samuel Augustus Mitchell
Map of Oregon, Washington and Part of British Columbia
14 x 11 inches
Mitchell's map of the Northwest is a fascinating look at this early transitional territorial configuration. Washington Territory wraps itself around the newly established State of Oregon, established in 1859. Only a handful of counties east of the Cascades.
Shows early routes of exploration, towns, forts, rivers, lakes, mountains, mines, Indian lands, early counties and a host of other details. One of the most interesting regional maps of the period, in a configuration which would exist for only 2 years.
SA Mitchell Jr. acquired his father's former business from DeSilver, in 1860 and relaunched a very successful atlas publishing business which survived another 20+ years, before licensing and selling off much of his inventory and rights.
Samuel Augustus Mitchell Jr. inherited the Mitchell Company from his father in 1860. For over thirty years, the company had specialized in the production of school atlases and wall maps of America. They were one of the pioneers on engraving on steel plates. In 1860, Samuel Jr. released the New General Atlas, which had been compiled in house and replaced a previous atlas by Tanner. The elder Mitchell died in 1868 and Samuel Jr. continued the business until the 1890s. At its height, the Mitchell Company employed 250 people and sold 400,000 publications annually.