1895 Klopp and Bartlett Stationery Map of the Pacific Northwest

This is a c. 1895 Klopp and Barnett Company stationery map of the Pacific Northwest - a map with a letter on the verso hinting at an illicit romantic affair.

A Closer Look

Issued on the back of stationary, the map's coverage embraces from Puget Sound east to Helena and from Donald, British Columbia south to Beulah, Oregon and Idaho City, Idaho. It details the routes of the Northern Pacific, Great Northern, Central Washington, and Canadian Pacific railroads, among others. Red printing marks areas where regional products were mined, cultivated, or raised, including gold, copper, timber, wheat, fruit, and sheep. Mount Rainier is prominently identified in bold. We have been unable to fine more information on Klopp and Barnett.

A Romantic Affair

A typewritten letter occupies the verso. This letter references a romantic affair between 'Helen' and 'Bob'. Bob obliquely references his upcoming marriage to 'Mabel', given with context that Bob references the 'sentimental graveyard' between himself and Helen, it hints at a love affair. Also, in pen below the letter, Bob asks 'By the way, how is Buster?' (dog?)

Publication History and Census

This map was created and published by the Klopp and Bartlett Company c. 1895 for the Spokane Spokesman-Review. This is the only known cataloged example and with the addition of the typewritten letter, a unique piece.