1897 Topographic Map of Portland Oregon & Vancouver Washington
1897 Topographic Map of Portland Oregon & Vancouver Washington
In this 36" x 46" topographic map of Portland from 1897, the Willamette and Columbia Rivers are the standout stars, with the associated islands, lakes, channels and sloughs dominating the map image horizontally and vertically. We love how the traditional square map boundaries even succumb to the power of the mighty Willamette and Columbia, with the rivers pushing past the surveyed contour lines to the very left-hand (western) edge of the map. This feels very fitting for a landscape that is so shaped by these vast watercourses. In this otherwise refined and un-cluttered map, rail lines and roads, as well as outlying communities as shown and labeled, with the developed blocks of downtown Portland outlined in dark black, while elsewhere individual buildings are depicted by small black squares. It is fun to see how much of the surrounding country has no buildings at all, and imagine a time when Mt. Tabor was the far eastern edge of settlement outside Portland. Relief is rendered with delicately-drawn brown contour lines, dense and dark brown where the hills rise steeply on the SW side of Portland. Precise blue concentric rings fill the water bodies.
The map is printed 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 subtle texture of the paper is visible with oblique lighting, and adds a richness and depth to blank areas of the map, giving a nice elegance to the whole piece.
* NOTE: This is a carefully crafted print of the highest quality, but it is not the original work.
**About our Dark Poplar & Antique Brass Hanging Frames
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Free shipping on every product. Maps and frames ship via UPS Ground in a bombproof custom map tube. Map prints ship within 10 business days, prints plus frames ship within 15 business days.
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Returns
If you're unsatisfied with your print for any reason, return it to us within 6 months, undamaged and in the original shipping tube, 100% free. ...But we're pretty sure you'll be satisfied.