1894 Vintage Map of Colorado

This illustrated 1894 relief map of Colorado is hands down one of our favorite vintage map discoveries. It was drawn by James McConnell for James McConnell School Supplies of Denver, CO. This fantastically skillful illustration renders the mountains, rivers, roads, towns and cities of Colorado in such breathtaking detail that the viewer feels themselves suspended high in the air, looking down on the Centennial State with perfect clarity. The map is extensively and clearly labeled, to the extent that even major mountains are named, and -- incredibly -- drawn to their individual likenesses even within the context of the entire state. 

In our opinion, this is one of the greatest accomplishments of the "panoramic map" artform, where the artist takes license to exaggerate geographic features in order to make the actual nature of the landforms immediately understandable to the viewer. Google Earth doesn't come close! Sadly, we did some digging and it appears that this is the only illustrated relief map that James McConnell drew, but it is a towering achievement, and this rarely-reproduced map makes an incredible centerpiece. 

UnConformity has printed McConnell's Colorado map on Arches BFK Rives 100% Cotton Rag paper, handmade at the Blanchet Frères & Kléber paper mill in Rives, France on a traditional cylinder paper mould. The pattern of the paper fibers is subtle here, yet faintly visible with oblique lighting. It accentuates the rich, vintage feel of the piece and gives it a little added depth without obscuring the details. 

*NOTE: This is a it is a carefully crafted print of the highest quality, but it is not the original work.

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