1849 J. Calvin Smith Case format Wall Map of the United States

A striking large format 1849 case map of the United States by J. Calvin Smith. The map covers from Austin Texas to the eastern seaboard and from Lake Superior to the Gulf of Mexico. When it was introduced, this map was hailed as the largest, best, and most detailed map of the United States yet published. Smith based this map on the earlier cartographic work of John Arrowsmith.

Smith's 1847 promotional for the map advertises it as

The largest and most complete Map of the United States ever published, being about six feet by seven, showing the base, meridian, and Township lines of the United States Surveys, the land allotted to the different Indian tribes west of the Mississippi river …. The above work obtained the premium, a silver medal, at the late Fair of the American Institute, New-York, as the best and most accurate specimen of Map engraving.

.There are two inset maps in the lower right quadrant of southern Florida and North America. The southern Florida map identifies Miami and attempts to illustrate speculative islands in the everglades. The North America Map covers all of North America in the post Mexican-American War configuration with Texas illustrated at its fullest extent including the northern panhandle. Upper California includes 'Mormon Settlement' at the site of modern day Salt Lake City and identifies the Gold Region near the Sacramento River. Johann (John) Augustus Sutter's failed settlement of New Helvetia is noted.

Of particular note is the map's impressive decorative boarder in which acanthus leaves embrace countless vignettes of American flora and fauna, American Indians, important cities, monuments, and more. At the top of the map a large eagle gripping the shield of the United States surrounded by 26 starts, each representing a state and containing a vignette. Four additional stars, which are partially shaded, include Iowa, Wisconsin, Texas, and another unidentifiable possible state.

The map may have been issued as an optional accompaniment to D. Haskel and J. Calvin Smith's A complete descriptive and statistical gazetteer of the United States of America. It was also issued independently as a wall map mounted on rollers. It was first published in 1843 with updates and revisions to 1852. In 1853 the plate was acquired to J. H. Colton, who changed the border and made major geographical revisions throughout. All examples are rare.