1873 Grand Canyon Map from Wheeler Expeditions

Heirloom-quality 45" x 36" print reproduction map of the region around the northern part of the Grand Canyon, from George Wheeler's expeditions of 1871, 1872, and 1873, for the the U.S. Geographical Surveys West of the 100th Meridian.

This beautiful map is remarkable for its accuracy compared to earlier depictions of the region, and depicts both the topography of the Grand Canyon country as well as the trails and wagon roads, settlements, telegraph lines and watering holes known to then exist. It also shows off the remarkable cartographic and artistic skills of the map makers (Weyss, Herman & Lang of Delaware), who brilliantly display the dramatic vertical relief of the canyon country using fine and delicate hachure. 

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. We LOVE how the map looks printed on this paper. The subtle, randomly-arranged pattern of the paper fibers give a luxurious look and feel to the blank spaces of the map, and it makes the whole work pop. The print has a lovely heft and suppleness, and we recommend using a quality hanging frame so that the paper isn't buried behind glass. We could study and admire this map for hours.    

*About our Dark Poplar & Antique Brass Hanging Frames

A little more history, compliments of raremaps.com: "This, the Wheeler atlas sheet map of the region around the northern part of the Grand Canyon, comes from the great post-Civil War surveys of the American West.

In 1866, Joseph S. Wilson, the Commissioner of the General Land Office, assessed the mineral resources of the US and opined the proper development was a matter of the highest concern to the American people. On March 2, 1867, Congress authorized the first western explorations in which geology would be the principal objective: a study of the geology and natural resources along the fortieth parallel route of the transcontinental railroad, under the Corps of Engineers, and a geological survey of the natural resources of the new State of Nebraska, under the direction of the General Land Office.

Four major surveys resulted, generally referred to by their leaders on the ground, King, Hayden, Powell and Wheeler. In 1869, Lieutenant George Wheeler was Engineer Officer on the staff of the Commanding General of the Army's Department of California (which covered California, Nevada, and Arizona). Wheeler, then only 26, had graduated sixth in his class from West Point in 1866. In early June 1869, Lieutenant Wheeler was ordered to organize and equip a party to explore the country south and east of White Pine, Nevada, as far as the head of navigation on the Colorado, to obtain data for a military map and to survey the possibility of a wagon road and select sites for military posts. In 1871, the Engineers sent Lt. Wheeler to explore and map the area south of the Central Pacific Railroad in eastern Nevada and Arizona. On his return from the 1871 expedition, Wheeler, convinced that the day of the pathfinder had ended, proposed a plan for mapping the United States west of the 100th meridian on a scale of 8 miles to the inch, expected to cost $2.5 million and take 15 years. Congress authorized the program on June 10, 1872. The present work was included in the U.S. Geological Surveys West of the 100th Meridian, as part of the Atlas to accompany the Expeditions of 1873, 1874 & 1876."