Map of British Columbia.
1894 (dated) 20 x 13 in (50.8 x 33.02 cm)
1 : 2400000
This is a beautiful example of Rand McNally and Company's 1894 map of British Columbia, Canada. It covers the region from the Cassiar District to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Kootenay District. An inset in the upper right quadrant features the northern part of British Columbia. Color coded according to provinces and regions, the map notes several towns, cities, rivers, mountains, and various other topographical details with relief shown by hachure. This map was issued as plate no. 201 in the 1895 issue of Rand McNally and Company's Indexed Atlas of the World - possibly the finest atlas Rand McNally ever issued.
Rand, McNally and Co. (fl. 1856 - present) is an American publisher of maps, atlases and globes. The company was founded in 1856 when William H. Rand, a native of Quincy, Massachusetts, opened a print shop in Chicago. Rand hired the recent Irish immigrant Andrew McNally to assist in the shop giving him a wage of 9 USD per week. The duo landed several important contracts, including the Tribune's (later renamed the Chicago Tribune) printing operation. In 1872, Rand McNally produced its first map, a railroad guide, using a new cost effective printing technique known as wax process engraving. As Chicago developed as a railway hub, the Rand firm, now incorporated as Rand McNally, began producing a wide array of railroad maps and guides. Over time, the firm expanded into atlases, globes, educational material, and general literature. By embracing the wax engraving process, Rand McNally was able to dominate the map and atlas market, pushing more traditional American lithographic publishers like Colton, Johnson, and Mitchell out of business. Eventually Rand McNally opened an annex office in New York City headed by Caleb S. Hammond, whose name is today synonymous with maps and atlases, and who later started his own map company, C. S. Hammond & Co. Both firms remain in business.
Rand McNally & Co., Foreign Countries. Rand, McNally & Co's Indexed Atlas of the World (Complete in Two Volumes)…, (Chicago) 1895.
Very good. Text on verso.
Rumsey 3565.056 (1897 edition). Philip (atlases) 1026 (1898 edition).